Sharon Sassler, Cornell University
Professor
Ithaca, New York
ss589@cornell.edu
Office:
(607) 254-6551
Expert In
Bio/Research
Sassler has published extensively on topics relating to family formation and change, including studies of union formation (cohabitation, marriage) and the progression of romantic and sexual relationships, marriage among single mothers (both divorced and never married), and immigrant adaptation.
Click to Expand >>
Click to Expand >>
Bio/Research
Sassler has published extensively on topics relating to family formation and change, including studies of union formation (cohabitation, marriage) and the progression of romantic and sexual relationships, marriage among single mothers (both divorced and never married), and immigrant adaptation.
Her recent research projects examine how union formation and childbearing are associated with health and well-being, occupational attainment and job turn-over, and relationship quality. For example, she is concluding a collaborative project to assess the midlife health of unmarried mothers and the outcomes associated with entrance into marital or cohabiting unions. This project also examined how age at childbearing shapes health outcomes in mid-life, and various measures of well-being for the offspring of unmarried mothers, such as their health, educational attainment, and early childbearing.
Another stream of Sassler’s research utilizes qualitative methods, specifically in-depth interviews with cohabiting couples (with partners interviewed separately) to better understand the processes involved with relationship progression and advancement, decisions about parenting and marriage, and how couples negotiate housework and paid work. This research reassesses the role that cohabitation serves in the family formation processes of contemporary young Americans. A particular emphasis is the important role that social class plays in differentiating the relationship processes of today’s young adults. Additional research, drawing on nationally representative data sources, further extends the insights drawn from the qualitative research, exploring the tempo of relationship progression and its association with how partners assess the quality of their relationship.
A third research focus examines the occupational choices of women and men who majored in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), exploring how family expectations, attitudes, and behaviors differentiates the occupational choice and retention of women and men. Using data from the National Science Foundation's SESTAT data, one NSF funded project assesses gender and race gaps in transitions into STEM occupations and the wages of those working in the STEM labor force. A second NSF funded project follows STEM graduates prospectively for five years, assessing the factors determining transitions into and retention in STEM occupations. A third NSF funded project explores how the representation of various groups (women, foreign-born but US trained STEM professionals, foreign-born and foreign-trained STEM professionals) shapes retention and wages in STEM fields.
Click to Shrink <<
Her recent research projects examine how union formation and childbearing are associated with health and well-being, occupational attainment and job turn-over, and relationship quality. For example, she is concluding a collaborative project to assess the midlife health of unmarried mothers and the outcomes associated with entrance into marital or cohabiting unions. This project also examined how age at childbearing shapes health outcomes in mid-life, and various measures of well-being for the offspring of unmarried mothers, such as their health, educational attainment, and early childbearing.
Another stream of Sassler’s research utilizes qualitative methods, specifically in-depth interviews with cohabiting couples (with partners interviewed separately) to better understand the processes involved with relationship progression and advancement, decisions about parenting and marriage, and how couples negotiate housework and paid work. This research reassesses the role that cohabitation serves in the family formation processes of contemporary young Americans. A particular emphasis is the important role that social class plays in differentiating the relationship processes of today’s young adults. Additional research, drawing on nationally representative data sources, further extends the insights drawn from the qualitative research, exploring the tempo of relationship progression and its association with how partners assess the quality of their relationship.
A third research focus examines the occupational choices of women and men who majored in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), exploring how family expectations, attitudes, and behaviors differentiates the occupational choice and retention of women and men. Using data from the National Science Foundation's SESTAT data, one NSF funded project assesses gender and race gaps in transitions into STEM occupations and the wages of those working in the STEM labor force. A second NSF funded project follows STEM graduates prospectively for five years, assessing the factors determining transitions into and retention in STEM occupations. A third NSF funded project explores how the representation of various groups (women, foreign-born but US trained STEM professionals, foreign-born and foreign-trained STEM professionals) shapes retention and wages in STEM fields.
Click to Shrink <<