Sociology 699J: Surveys in Developing Countries

Marital Histories

Why do we want to collect marital history information?

• Predicts gender inequality
• Predicts fertility
• Correlated with educational attainment
• Affects women's labor force participation
• Ethnic and racial structure of intermarriage
• Caste & community status ranked by marriage practices
• Predicts adult mortality (e.g., widowhood)
• Current marital status and poverty

What do we want to collect about marital status

• Age at marriage
• Exogamy
• Choice vs. arranged
• Dowry / bride price
• Polygyny/polyandry
• Remarriage
• Consensual vs. formal unions

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