Testing Becker's Theory of Positive Assortative Matching

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2015
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 409 - 441

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In a stochastic Becker marriage model (Choo and Siow), supermodularity of the match output function implies stochastic positive assortative matching (PAM): the equilibrium marriage matching distribution has all positive local log odds ratios or is totally positive of order 2 (TP2). The Choo-Siow model rationalizes the practice of studying PAM independent of population vectors and marriage rates and conditional on other spousal characteristics. Using white married couples in their 30s from the 2000 US Census, spousal educational matching generally obeyed TP2. Between 1970 and 2000, there was no general increase in PAM. There was increased homogamy in spousal education matching.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/678496
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29