In theory, unilateral divorce laws alter the private incentive to invest in human capital by permitting either spouse … less likely to attain a bachelor's degree in states with unilateral divorce laws--especially individuals who were exposed … to the laws when making educational choices and who live in states requiring an even split of assets upon divorce …

with stable earnings and marriage rates among women. Wilson (1987) reasons that because single motherhood is an alternative … to traditional marriage, circumstances that impede marriage should also encourage single motherhood. However, few studies … marriage market prospects and the prevalence of never-married mothers. Much of the existing literature frames the expansion of …

Using the 1970, 1980 and 1990 Censuses, we investigate the impact of labor and marriage market conditions on the … incidence of marriage of young women (age 16-24). We employ a two-stage methodology. First, across individuals, marriage is … effects are regressed on MSA-level labor and marriage market conditions and welfare benefits using cross-section and fixed …

We examine the association between nonmarital childbearing and the subsequent likelihood of first marriage and document … expectations of future marriage. Rather, the direction of causation is just the reverse: Nonmarital childbearing tends to be an … first marriage. Further, the upward trend in the proportion of childbearing that occurs outside of marriage may account for …

dimensions, exploring in detail the role of fertility, and possibly divorce in the integration process. We exploit rich …

be sub-optimal. However, investing in joint assets, which the marriage contract specifies are to be divided in the case … and cohabitation more similar. Wealthy individuals can thus access a more advantageous marriage contract, which has … couples cannot commit ex ante to a sufficiently equal post-divorce allocation, specialization and public goods' creation will …