There are studies that show correlations, for example, with income and education [1]. Correlation, however, does surely not proof causation.
Personally, our son was also born out-of-wedlock and we are still not married. For us it was simply a choice of wanting children but not seeing the need to affirm our relationship through the public statement of a wedding. While in our country no one is taking offense with that, it is unfortunate that there are still negative side effects such as higher taxes and a lot of paperwork to ensure my spouse and I have the same rights and obligations with regards to our son
Yes. Children with only one parent are more likely to be physically and mentally unhealthy, go to prison, not go to college, use drugs, abuse alcohol, etc. It should be obvious that children are better off when there are two people responsible for taking care of them.
In the situation from this article, without marriage one of the parents would likely go to jail. Then the child would be raised by a single parent (a teenager).
The reason I asked this question is because my parents have always been, and will continue to always be common law. They love each other and raised my brother and I together.
I was born out of wedlock, and still raised by two parents.
Personally, our son was also born out-of-wedlock and we are still not married. For us it was simply a choice of wanting children but not seeing the need to affirm our relationship through the public statement of a wedding. While in our country no one is taking offense with that, it is unfortunate that there are still negative side effects such as higher taxes and a lot of paperwork to ensure my spouse and I have the same rights and obligations with regards to our son
[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/why-are...