The Remarriage Market

Using data from the 1970 National Fertility Survey, this study examines the influence of factors associated with the remarriage market on two outcome areas: 1) the probability of remarriage and the interval between marital events; and 2) the selectivity of spouse characteristics. The analysis finds that women who had children, who were highly educated, and who separated at older ages had markedly lower probabilities of remarriage and longer intervals; however, only weak support for the expectation that the above factors would alter the selectivity process for women who do remarry is found. The findings are consistent with a remamage market perspective, however the analysis also indicates that factors other than those considered here may play a more important role in influencing the remarriage process.