The current study adopts the life course framework to examine the effect of incarceration on the likelihood of becoming married and attaining full-time employment. It is hypothesized that men who have been incarcerated will be less likely to marry and to gain full-time employment. Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth are used to test the hypothesis. Results from the growth-curve models support the life-course theoretical model. Across all models estimated, incarceration is negatively associated with marriage and employment. In addition, positive milestones (e.g., education) are associated with improved chances of employment and marriage. The findings reinforce the importance of considering a multitude of life events when estimating life trajectories.
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