Full Citation

Title: Divorce, Fertility and the Value of Marriage

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2007

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.982406

NSFID:

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PMID:

Abstract: Easier divorce has two effects on marriage rates and fertility. It dilutes the value of marriage, therefore reducing marriage rates and marital fertility and potentially increasing out of wedlock fertility. But easier divorce reduces also the commitment cost of marriage leading women to "try" marriage especially when in child bearing age or even already pregnant. We find that total fertility and out-of-wedlock fertility decline after the introduction of unilateral divorce. Women planning to have children marry more easily with an easier "exit option" from marriage. Thus, more children are born in the first years of marriage, while marital fertility does not change, probably as a result of an increase in divorce and marital instability. Therefore we find strong evidence consistent with the "commitment effect".

Url: http://www.ssrn.com/abstract=982406

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Authors: Alesina, Alberto F.; Giuliano, Paola

Series Title:

Publication Number: 2136

Institution: Harvard Institute of Economic Research

Pages: 34

Publisher Location:

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage

Countries: United States