5 Building a Family
Marriage is a great institution, but Iām not ready for an
institution yet.ā Mae WestMost people want a partner, and most want at some time
to have children. Are they right, in terms of what will bring
them satisfaction and fulfillment? These are important is-
sues for any form of public policy that aims to support peo-
ple in achieving a good life.
Life- course data provide important evidence on all this.
They show decisively the importance of close personal rela-
tionships to a satisfying life. When it comes to children, the
answer is more nuanced.
Partnering, Separation, and Bereavement
Our surveys provide the following breakdown of people ac-
cording to their family status:
Married
Living as married
Separated (i.e., married but not living with spouse)
Divorced (but not remarried)
Widowed
Single