Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
07:40
Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
The value of youth: equalizing age differentials in marriages
Applied Economics
|March 1, 1990
Summary
This study models marriage as a market where individuals trade characteristics, explaining age differences and rising female marriage age. Data confirms these patterns in a 1980 US Census analysis.
Area of Science:
- Economics
- Sociology
- Demography
Background:
- Marriage patterns are influenced by individual choices and societal factors.
- Understanding the economic and social dynamics of marriage is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a model of constrained utility-maximizing behavior explaining marriage features.
- To analyze the economic and demographic implications of marriage market dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Developed a theoretical model of utility-maximizing behavior in the marriage market.
- Utilized 1980 United States Census data for metropolitan California residents.
- Examined unit record data to identify systematic patterns consistent with the theory.
Main Results:
- The model predicts individuals trade characteristics in the marriage market.
- A positive husband-age differential is implied, moderated by earnings capacity and human capital.
- The model explains the increasing age of first marriage for women and partner selection challenges.
Conclusions:
- The constrained utility-maximizing model provides a framework for understanding marriage behavior.
- Empirical data supports the theoretical predictions regarding marriage market dynamics.
- The model offers insights into contemporary marriage trends and challenges.
Keywords:
Age FactorsAmericasBiological CharacteristicsBiologyCaliforniaDemographic FactorsDeveloped CountriesEconomic FactorsIncomeMarriageMarriage AgeMarriage PatternsModels, TheoreticalNorth AmericaNorthern AmericaNuptialityPopulationPopulation CharacteristicsResearch MethodologySocioeconomic FactorsUnited States
Related Concept Videos
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:28Equivalent Couples
In mechanical engineering, the concept of equivalent couples plays a crucial role in understanding and analyzing various mechanical systems.
Two couples are considered to be equivalent if they produce the same rotational effect on a rigid body. In other words, the two couples have the same magnitude and act in the same direction, causing the same angular displacement or acceleration in the body.
For instance, consider two couples lying in the plane of the page, with one having a pair of equal...
Two couples are considered to be equivalent if they produce the same rotational effect on a rigid body. In other words, the two couples have the same magnitude and act in the same direction, causing the same angular displacement or acceleration in the body.
For instance, consider two couples lying in the plane of the page, with one having a pair of equal...
01:06Natural Selection and Mating Preferences
The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
01:26Desirable Characteristics in Others
Various factors, including the type of relationship, gender, and duration of the relationship, influence the perception of desirable characteristics in others. While certain traits such as trustworthiness, cooperativeness, agreeableness, and extraversion are universally valued across all relationships, other characteristics are context-dependent and gain prominence based on specific relational dynamics.Universal and Context-Dependent TraitsTrustworthiness and cooperativeness are fundamental...
01:27Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...
01:29Close Relationships and Culture
Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...