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All the Single Ladies: Job Promotions and the Durability of Marriage

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: We study how promotions to top jobs affect the probability of divorce. We compare the relationship trajectories of winning and losing candidates for mayor and parliamentarian and find that a promotion to one of these jobs doubles the baseline probability of divorce for women, but not for men. We also find a widening gender gap in divorce rates for men and women after being promoted to CEO. An analysis of possible mechanisms shows that divorces are concentrated in more gender-traditional couples, while women in more gender-equal couples are unaffected. (JEL J12, J16, M12, M51)

Source: American Economic Journal Applied Economics

DOI: 10.1257/app.20180435

Authors: Olle Folke, Johanna Rickne

Institutions: Uppsala University, Stockholm University

Language: English

Topic: Family Dynamics and Relationships

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Gender equality, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2593852447

FWCI: 19.96

Cites: 38

Cited by: 89

Related to: 10