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Title: A Cautionary Tale About the Use of Administrative Data: Evidence from Age of Marriage Laws

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2009

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Abstract: This paper demonstrates that administrative data may be inferior tosurvey data under particular circumstances. We examine the effectof state laws governing the minimum age of marriage in the UnitedStates. The estimated effects of these laws are much smaller whenbased on retrospective reports from census versus administrativerecords from Vital Statistics data. This discrepancy appears dueto systematic avoidance behavior of two kinds. Some young peoplemarry in states with less restrictive laws; others appear to have misrepresentedtheir age on their marriage certificate. Our results haveimportant implications regarding legal avoidance and the use ofadministrative data.

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Authors: Sallee, James M.; Blank, Rebecca M.; Charles, Kerwin K.

Periodical (Full): American Economic Journal: Applied Economics

Issue: 2

Volume: 1

Pages: 128-149

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage, Methodology and Data Collection

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