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Title: Love in the Time of the Depression: the Effect of Economic Conditions on Marriage in the Great Depression

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2015

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Abstract: I examine the impact of the Great Depression on marriage outcomes and find that marriage rates and local economic conditions are positively correlated. Specifically, poor labor market opportunities for men negatively impact marriage. Conversely, there is some evidence that poor female labor markets actually increase marriage in the period. While the Great Depression did lower marriage rates, the effect was not long lasting: marriages were delayed, not denied. The primary long-run effect of the downturn on marriage was stability: Marriages formed in tough economic times were more likely to survive compared to matches made in more prosperous time periods.

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Authors: Hill, Matthew J.

Periodical (Full): The Journal of Economic History

Issue: 1

Volume: 75

Pages: 163-189

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage

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