Women’s Agency in Jordan: The Impact of Marriage and Motherhood Moderated by Education

Yusra Alkasasbeh ()
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Yusra Alkasasbeh: Northeastern University – Arlington

No 1776, Working Papers from Economic Research Forum

Abstract: Marriage and motherhood both represent key milestones in commitment and family responsibilities. In this context, this paper explores how women's agency in Jordan is influenced by these roles, along with education level. It highlights three elements of instrumental agency: choice-making, financial independence, and mobility—along with intrinsic agency, which is assessed through attitudes toward domestic violence among married women. The sample consists of women between the ages of 15 and 59 from the 2010 and 2016 Jordan Labor Market Panel Surveys (JLMPS). Findings suggest that motherhood reduces women's likelihood of participating in household decision-making yet enhances their freedom of mobility and intrinsic agency. The change in the impact of motherhood on both decision-making and intrinsic agency is insignificant, with education acting as a moderating factor, all else equal. Marriage increases the probability of achieving greater financial independence but restricts mobility compared to single women under similar conditions. Education significantly amplifies the positive effects of marriage on financial autonomy but does not change the impact of marriage on the freedom of mobility.

Pages: 31
Date: 2025-05-20, Revised 2025-05-20
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