Match quality, new information, and marital dissolution

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Weiss, Y; Willis, RJ
• 署名单位: University of Chicago; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/209864
• 发表日期: 1997
• 页码: S293-S329
• 关键词: goods

摘要

This article investigates the role of surprises in marital dissolution. Surprises consists of changes in the predicted earning capacity of either spouse. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 is used. We find that an unexpected increase in the husband's earning capacity reduces the divorce hazard, while an unexpected increase in the wife's earning capacity raises the divorce hazard. Couples sort into marriage according to characteristics that are likely to enhance the stability of the marriage. The divorce hazard is initially increasing with the duration of marriage, and the presence of children and high levels of property stabilizes the marriage.