Contingent Work Rising: Implications for the Timing of Marriage in Japan

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Economics
• Demography

Background:

• Precarious employment is rising globally, affecting young adults' job security and benefits.
• Traditional gender roles and the male-breadwinner model persist in Japan, influencing family transitions.
• Changes in employment relations have profound effects on societal structures and individual life courses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of non-regular work on the timing of marriage among young adults in Japan.
• To determine if the effect of non-regular employment on marriage timing differs by sex.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of recent life history data from Japan.
• Statistical examination of the relationship between employment status (regular vs. non-regular) and marriage timing.
• Comparative analysis of effects across different genders.

Main Results:

• Men in non-regular jobs are significantly more likely to postpone marriage compared to those in regular employment.
• The experience of precarious work has a pronounced delaying effect on marriage for men in Japan.
• Evidence suggests a gendered impact of non-regular work on family formation timing.

Conclusions:

• The growth of precarious work, particularly affecting men, challenges traditional marriage timelines in Japan.
• These employment shifts have significant implications for the future of work and family institutions in Japan.
• Policy considerations may be needed to address the socioeconomic consequences of non-regular employment on family formation.