This paper uses a modified contractual model to study the role of religion-via entry and exit costs-in shaping preferences for getting and staying married. The religions that are analyzed are two "collective" religions: Judaism and Christianity. The paper takes a historical and contemporary look...

We review the theoretical and empirical literature on commitment devices. A commitment device is any arrangement, entered into by an individual, with the aim of making it easier to fulfill his or her own future plans. We argue that there is growing empirical evidence supporting the proposition...