When Work Disappears: Manufacturing Decline and the Falling Marriage-Market Value of Young Men

David Autor, David Dorn and Gordon Hanson

No 23173, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We exploit the gender-specific components of large-scale labor demand shocks stemming from rising international manufacturing competition to test how shifts in the relative economic stature of young men versus young women affected marriage, fertility and children’s living circumstances during 1990-2014. On average, trade shocks differentially reduce employment and earnings, raise the prevalence of idleness, and elevate premature mortality among young males. Consistent with Becker’s model of household specialization, shocks to male relative stature reduce marriage and fertility. Consistent with sociological accounts, these shocks raise the share of mothers who are unwed and share of children living in below-poverty, single-headed households.

JEL-codes: F16 J12 J13 J21 J23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lma and nep-ltv
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Published as David Autor & David Dorn & Gordon Hanson, 2019. "When Work Disappears: Manufacturing Decline and the Falling Marriage Market Value of Young Men," American Economic Review: Insights, vol 1(2), pages 161-178.

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Related works:
Journal Article: When Work Disappears: Manufacturing Decline and the Falling Marriage Market Value of Young Men (2019)
Working Paper: When Work Disappears: Manufacturing Decline and the Falling Marriage Market Value of Young Men (2018)
Working Paper: When Work Disappears: Manufacturing Decline and the Falling Marriage-Market Value of Young Men (2018)
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