On Fights and Break-ups Between Couples

We present a new economic model of romantic relationships by theorizing breakup as an intertemporal process, unlike the traditional static approach in terms of outside options. Contrary to Becker (2009), our approach underlines the possibility of divorces even when outside options are less than gains from marriage. This allows us to provide a rationale for the anti-Benthamite legally mandated separation periods during divorce proceedings, within the Benthamite paradigm. Further, we provide a rational explanation for the curious tendency of partners of being in long periods of acrimonious fight before making up by undertaking actions that they could have undertaken right at the start of their fight. Finally, in line with a UK government report (1989), our paper posits that unions without legal recognition are likely to be more unstable in comparison to legally recognized marriages. JEL codes: K36, C72,D90

Age and the Desire to Marry

Understanding attitudes toward marriage at older ages is increasingly important as young adults delay marriage and large numbers of people return to the marriage market after divorce. This study examines age differences in the desire to marry among singles age 18 to 69 years, taking into account selection into marriage. Using data drawn from the General Social Survey (GSS), multinomial regressions show that single men and women age 55 to 69 years have less desire to marry than younger single men and women. This age difference in single people's desire to marry is not fully explained by differences in factors that are likely to affect the real or perceived gains from marriage, such as personal resources, children, experience of divorce, or religiosity.