Spouse selection and earnings: evidence of marital sorting |
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| Authors: | RA Nakosteen MA Zimmer |
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| Affiliation: | School of Management, University of Massachusetts, Box 34910, Amherst, MA 01003-4910, USA Phone: 1 413 545 5687 Fax: 1 413 545 3858 E-mail:;School of Business, University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47722, USA Phone: 1 812 479 2864 Fax: 1 812 479 2872 E-mail: |
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| Abstract: | This article investigates economic bases for individuals'selection of marriage partners. Its central focus is matching of spouse pairs based on unobservable components of hourly earnings. Using a data extract from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we have observations of individuals'wages before and immediately after marriage, along with their spouses'earnings after marriage. We exploit the data to estimate the relation between spouses'wage residuals. The evidence supports positive marital matching on the basis of earnings. The results are robust with respect to variations in the statistical framework of the model. |
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