Marry for What? Caste and Mate Selection in Modern India

Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, Maitreesh Ghatak and Jeanne Lafortune

American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, 2013, vol. 5, issue 2, 33-72

Abstract: This paper analyzes how preferences for a noneconomic characteristic (e.g., caste) can affect equilibrium patterns of matching, and empirically evaluates this in the context of middle-class Indian arranged marriages. We show theoretically how the equilibrium consequences of caste depend on whether preferences are towards one's own group or for "marrying up." We then estimate actual preferences for caste and other attributes using a unique dataset of individuals who placed matrimonial advertisements and find only a strong preference for in-caste marriage. This translates, in equilibrium, in caste doing little to alter the matching patterns on non-caste attributes. (JEL C78, J12, O15, O17, Z13)

JEL-codes: C78 J12 O15 O17 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
Note: DOI: 10.1257/mic.5.2.33
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (128)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Marry for What? Caste and Mate Selection in Modern India (2012)
Working Paper: Marry for What? Caste and Mate Selection in Modern India (2009)
Working Paper: Marry for What? Caste and Mate Selection in Modern India (2009)
Working Paper: Marry for What? Caste and Mate Selection in Modern India (2009)
Working Paper: Marry for What: Caste and Mate Selection in Modern India (2009)
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