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Mating Market and Dynamics of Union Formation
Giulia Corti1,2, Stefani Scherer1
1School of Social Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
European Journal of Population = Revue Europeenne De Demographie
|November 17, 2021
Summary
Structural partner market constraints in Germany affect union formation timing and educational sorting. A mating squeeze, especially for low-educated men and highly educated women, increases singlehood and hypogamous unions after age 30.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Demography
- Economics
Background:
- Investigates the impact of structural partner market constraints on union formation.
- Integrates literature on the reversed gender gap in education and educational assortative mating.
- Focuses on mating dynamics and partner market measurement across the life course.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine how partner market constraints influence the timing and educational sorting of unions in Germany (1985-2018).
- Analyze the specific experiences of low-educated men and highly educated women facing worsening mating prospects.
- Assess the role of local, education-specific mating squeezes on union formation decisions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes data from Germany spanning 1985-2018.
- Focuses on two key educational groups: low-educated men and highly educated women.
- Applies principles of search theory to understand partner selection dynamics.
Main Results:
- A local mating squeeze, driven by an increased supply of highly educated women, elevates the likelihood of remaining single or forming hypogamous unions (woman higher educated).
- These effects are more pronounced for individuals over 30 years of age.
- Demonstrates that partner market conditions significantly shape union formation timing and educational composition.
Conclusions:
- Structural conditions in the partner market dynamically influence assortative mating and union formation.
- Highlights the necessity of a dynamic perspective to study mating patterns under changing societal conditions.
- Emphasizes the distinct challenges faced by specific educational groups in the evolving marriage market.
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