RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Changing the Price of Marriage
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 539
OP 567
DO 10.3368/jhr.46.3.539
VO 46
IS 3
A1 Buckles, Kasey
A1 Guldi, Melanie
A1 Price, Joseph
YR 2011
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/46/3/539.abstract
AB We use state repeals of blood test requirements (BTRs) for a marriage license that occurred between 1980 and 2008 to examine the impact of changes in the price of marriage on the marriage decision. Using a within-group estimator that holds constant state and year effects and exploits variation in the repeal dates of BTRs across states, we find that BTRs are associated with a 6.1 percent decrease in marriage licenses issued by a state. This main finding is supported with results from individual-level marriage license and Current Population Survey data. The largest effects are found for lower socioeconomic groups.