The Economics of Hypergamy

Arbeitspapier

Partner selection is a vital feature of human behavior with important consequences for individuals, families, and society. Hypergamy occurs when a husband’s earning capacity systematically exceeds that of his wife. We provide a theoretical framework that rationalizes hypergamy even in the absence of gender differences in the distribution of earnings capacity. Using parental earnings rank, a predetermined measure of earnings capacity that solves the simultaneity problem of matching affecting earnings outcomes, we show that hypergamy is an important feature of Norwegian mating patterns. A vignette experiment identifies gender differences in preferences that can explain the observed patterns.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 12185

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure; Domestic Abuse ; Household Behavior: General ; Time Allocation and Labor Supply
• Subject: marriage ; gender identity ; labor supply ; household specialization

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Almås, Ingvild ; Kotsadam, Andreas ; Moen, Espen R. ; Røed, Knut
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/196683
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET