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Title: Impact of Changes in Marriage Law: Implications for Fertility and School Enrollment
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 2010
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Abstract: Does the postponement of marriage affect fertility and investment in human capital? Istudy this question in the context of a 1957 amendment to the marriage law in Mississippi that wasaimed at delaying the age of marriage. Changes included raising the minimum age for men andwomen, parental consent requirements, compulsory blood tests and proof of age. Using difference indifferences at the county level, I find that overall marriages per 1000 in the population decreased bynearly 75%; crude birth rate decreased by nearly 9.5%; and school enrollment increased by 3% afterthe passage of the law (by 1960). An unintended consequence of the law change was that illegitimatebirths among young black mothers increased by 7%. I show that changes in labor market conditionsduring this period cannot explain the changes in marriages, births and enrollment. I conclude thatstricter marriage-related regulation leading to a delay in marriage can postpone fertility and increaseschool enrollment. However, my findings suggest that these changes had no effect on completedfertility and could also increase illegitimacy.
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Authors: Bharadwaj, Prashant
Conference Name: Third World Conference EALE - Society of Labor Economists
Publisher Location: University College, London, UK
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Family and Marriage, Fertility and Mortality
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