WP-99-05

Lisa K. Jepsen and Christopher A. Jepsen

Abstract

This paper uses 1990 census data to test Becker's predictions of gender-based specialization for labor-market outcomes by comparing the matching behaviors of four types of couples: same-sex male couples, same-sex female couples, opposite-sex cohabiting couples, and married couples. Correlations and conditional logit results support Becker's predictions of positive assortive mating but not negative assortive mating, nor do they find marked differences across types of couples. Binary logit results find that married couples are more alike than unmarried couples, and that opposite-sex couples are more alike than same-sex couples.

Lisa K. Jepsen, Department of Economics, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Christopher A. Jepsen, Department of Economics, Northwestrn University

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