A Theory of Marriage Timing
1988/11/01 by Valerie Kincade Oppenheimer · 1,368 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Argument (complex analysis) #Assortative mating #Biology #Conceptual framework #Demographic economics #Demography #Ecology #Economics #Family Dynamics and Relationships #Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics #Mating #Population #Positive economics #Psychology #Social psychology #Social science #Socioeconomic status #Sociology #Work (physics) #Work-Family Balance Challenges
paper · doi:10.1086/229030
published in American Journal of Sociology 94(3), 563-591 (University of Chicago Press)
openalex publication_date 1988/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Abstract
With the use of a midified job-search theory, a conceptual framework is developed to show that some factors influence marriage timing by either facilitating or impeding assortative mating. Transition-to-work is emphasized because work structures people's lifestyles and is the major source of socioeconomic status; however, its nature is often unpredictable in early adulthood, while other personal attributes emerge early. The theory is applied to the dynamics of assortative mating under two contrasting scenarios: when gender roles are highly segregated, and when women's economic roles start to resemble those of men. Finally, the implications of the analysis for Becker's reduced-gains-to-marriage argument are assessed.
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