Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP2209
Authors: Shoshana Neuman; Leif Danziger
Abstract: In this paper we extend the Becker-Keeley and Bergstrom-Bagnoli theories of the optimal age at marriage and derive systematic cross-cultural differences in the marriage pattern. We then examine the empirical relevance of the hypotheses for Jewish and Moslem population groups in Israel. The empirical analysis is more detailed than previous studies by, for example, splitting the sample according to the wife's labour market status. The evidence supports the Becker-Keeley prediction about the effects of the spouses' wage rates, the Bergstrom-Bagnoli prediction about the effect of the husband's wage rate in a traditional society, and the various hypotheses we propose.
Keywords: age at marriage; jews; moslems
JEL Codes: J12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Husband's wage rate (J31) | Age at marriage (husband) (J12) |
| Husband's wage rate (J31) | Age at marriage (wife) (J12) |
| Wife's wage rate (J31) | Age at marriage (wife) (J12) |
| Husband's wage rate (both working) (J31) | Age at marriage (husband) (J12) |
| Husband's wage rate (both working) (J31) | Age at marriage (wife) (J12) |
| Wife's wage rate (both working) (J31) | Age at marriage (wife) (J12) |
| Husband's wage rate (traditional societies) (J31) | Age at marriage (husband) (J12) |
| Wife's age at marriage (traditional societies) (J12) | Age at marriage (wife) (J12) |
| Educational attainment (I21) | Age at marriage (both spouses) (J12) |