Publisher's Synopsis
Developing a general theory of marriage that draws on economic analysis, this book considers ways in which the supply and demand of male and female partners affects marriage, co-habitation, labour supply and divorce. The author shows how sex ratio (the relative number of men and women) affects a variety of outcomes, including the status of women in a society and the labour force participation of married women. Hours of work outside the home are also related to individual traits, such as age and education, that reflect an individual's success in the marriage market. These traits have an impact on the religion, educational level, and age of marriage partners. The author also considers such topics as co-habitation, polygamy, and the influence of marriage on work productivity.
