Abstract
This paper investigates the effect of relative income on marriage. Accounting flexibly for absolute income, the ratio between a man’s income and a local reference group median is a strong predictor of marital status, but only for low-income men. Relative income affects marriage even among those living with a partner. A 10 percent higher reference group income is associated with a 2 percent reduction in marriage. We propose an identity model to explain the results.
- Received January 2010.
- Accepted August 2010.
This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Log in using your username and password
Purchase access
You may purchase access to this article. This will require you to create an account if you don't already have one.
In this issue
Jump to section
Related Articles
Cited By...
- Making Big Decisions: The Impact of Moves on Marriage among U.S. Army Personnel
- Does Access to Family Planning Increase Childrens Opportunities?: Evidence from the War on Poverty and the Early Years of Title X
- Five Decades of Remarkable but Slowing Change in U.S. Women's Economic and Social Status and Political Participation