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Mating Market and Dynamics of Union Formation
[journal article]
Abstract The paper investigates the relationship between structural partner market constraints and the timing and educational sorting of unions in Germany (1985-2018). We integrate the literature on the effect of the reversed gender gap in education on educational assortative mating, with a focus on mating d... view more
The paper investigates the relationship between structural partner market constraints and the timing and educational sorting of unions in Germany (1985-2018). We integrate the literature on the effect of the reversed gender gap in education on educational assortative mating, with a focus on mating dynamics and the measurement of the partner market over the life course. We concentrate on two particular educational groups, low-educated men and highly educated women, those with worsening mating prospects and more subject to experience hypogamous unions. Our results show that the local education-specific mating squeeze influences union formation, its timing, and educational sorting. Indeed, for the two groups, the increasing supply of highly educated women in the partner market increases the likelihood of remaining single or establishing an hypogamous union, where she is higher educated than he. In line with search theory, we find the effects of the mating squeeze to become particularly visible after people turn 30 years of age. This is true for the risk of remaining single and forming an hypogamous union. We underline the necessity to study assortative mating and union formation from a dynamic perspective, taking into account changing structural conditions during the partner search process.... view less
Keywords
microcensus; gender relations; Federal Republic of Germany; partnership; choice of partner; level of education; woman; man
Classification
Family Sociology, Sociology of Sexual Behavior
Women's Studies, Feminist Studies, Gender Studies
Free Keywords
assortative mating; mating market; union formation; reversed gender gap in education; hypogamy; Mikrozensus 1985-2015 ; EU-LFS 2016-2018
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 851-876
Journal
European Journal of Population / Revue européenne de Démographie, 37 (2021) 4-5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-021-09592-2
ISSN
1572-9885
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed