JFIXXX10.1177/0192513X19863211Journal of Family IssuesTai et al. 863211research-article2019 Article Journal of Family Issues 2019, Vol. 40(14) 1989 –2014 Early Marriage in © The Author(s) 2019 Article reuse guidelines: Taiwan: Evidence sagepub.com/journals-permissions https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X19863211DOI: 10.1177/0192513X19863211 From Panel Data journals.sagepub.com/home/jfi Tsui-o Tai1, Chin-Chun Yi2, and Chia-Hua Liu3 Abstract Using data from the TYP (Taiwan Youth Project) panel survey, we examine factors associated with early marriages in Taiwan and the subsequent risks for negative outcomes in family life and career trajectories. About 7% of Taiwanese people marry early, that is, before the age of 28 years. Among those who marry early, more than 60% report the birth of a child within the first 8 months of marriage (i.e., they form postconception “shotgun” marriages). Compared with the never married respondents, individuals in both preconception and postconception early marriages are likely to come from families of low socioeconomic status. Nonworking young adults and those experiencing parental divorce or parental death during adolescence are at higher risk of entering postconception marriages than those remaining single. Particularly for nonemployed young people and those from lower socioeconomic status background, early marriage means taking on adult responsibilities in a disadvantaged state. Keywords early marriage, postconception, preconception 1National Taipei University, New Taipei City 2Academia Sinica, Taipei 3Tamkang University, New Taipei City Corresponding Author: Chin-Chun Yi, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica, 128, Section 2 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529. Email:
[email protected] 1990 Journal of Family Issues 40(14) The widespread second demographic transition that features delayed first marriage, declining fertility, rising marital dissolution, and nonmarital births seems to obscure the future of family.