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Title: Changing the Price of Marriage Evidence from Blood Test Requirements

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2011

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Abstract: We use state repeals of blood test requirements (BTRs) for a marriage license that occurred between 1980 and 2008 to examine the impact of changes in the price of marriage on the marriage decision. Using a within-group estimator that holds constant state and year effects and exploits variation in the repeal dates of BTRs across states, we find that BTRs are associated with a 6.1 percent decrease in marriage licenses issued by a state. This main finding is supported with results from individual-level marriage license and Current Population Survey data. The largest effects are found for lower socioeconomic groups.

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Authors: Buckles, Kasey; Guldi, Melanie; Price, Joseph

Periodical (Full): Journal of Human Resources

Issue: 3

Volume: 46

Pages: 539-567

Data Collections: IPUMS CPS

Topics: Family and Marriage

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