The Implications of Economic Structure for Marriage Prevalence

ABSTRACT

This manuscript explores the relationship between industry of employment and marriage prevalence for both men and women. An examination of PUMS data reveals that women employed in the service sector are significantly less likely to be married than other women, and this relationship remains pronounced even when the effects of income, education and other control variables are statistically controlled. For males, service sector employment is not strongly related to marriage prevalence. By far the strongest predictor of marriage prevalence for males is personal income. This study provides strong support for previous research which has determined that improved economic conditions increase marriage prevalence for males, while improved economic conditions decrease marriage prevalence for females.