This study examines how dimensions of family structure, specifically
marriage and parenthood, influence authority attainment among men and
women of different racial and ethnic identities. Using survey data from
the Multi-City Survey of Urban Inequality, we reach several empirical
conclusions. First, the link between family structure and authority
attainment is much stronger for women than men, and it revolves more
strongly around marriage than parenthood. Second, while marriage decreases
White women's odds of holding positions of higher authority, it
increases these odds for Black women and Latinas. Third, this
“marital bonus” for Black women is most pronounced in
predominantly White work settings, allowing them to “play
against” stereotypes of group members as single mothers. Fourth, and
by contrast, the “marital bonus” for Latinas is strongest in
predominantly Latina workplaces, suggesting that Latinas must conform to
strong cultural expectations for marriage if they are to gain authority in
ingroup work settings. These findings help to illuminate how race,
ethnicity, and gender intersect to produce unique linkages between family
structure and individual opportunities for organizational power.