Abstract
Since the 1970s almost all states have introduced a form of joint custody after divorce. We analyze the causal effect of these custody law reforms on the incidence of marriage and divorce. Our identification strategy exploits the different timing of reforms across states and the control group of divorcing couples without minors. Estimations based on state panel data suggest that the introduction of joint custody led to a long-run increase in marriage rates. There is no convincing evidence for an impact of joint custody on divorce rates. In sum, joint custody has increased the stock of married people and dampened the persistent downturn in marriage. Our empirical evidence is fully consistent with the supposition that these additional marriages are the result of an increased incentive of men to marry.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 41 |
| Place of Publication | Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University, Linz |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2009 |
Fields of science
- 405002 Agricultural economics
- 502 Economics
- 502001 Labour market policy
- 502002 Labour economics
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- 502025 Econometrics
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- 504014 Gender studies
- 506004 European integration
- 507016 Regional economy
- 303010 Health economics
JKU Focus areas
- Social Systems, Markets and Welfare States
- Social and Economic Sciences (in general)
