[en] This paper examines how the decision to acquire higher education may
affect job and marital satisfaction. We propose a theoretical model where
individuals decide whether to attend university both for obtaining higher
job satisfaction and for meeting potential partners. As the probability of
marrying an educated partner increases (due to positive educational assortative
matching), the average ability of university students falls, since more
(low ability) students are willing to attend university. Two effects can be
withdrawn: (i) average job satisfaction decreases, while (ii) marital satisfaction
increases. We then test the model using the British Household Panel
Survey for years 1996-2008, using a dynamic bivariate model. Consistent
with the theoretical predictions, we find that higher education is correlated
with lower average job satisfaction. In addition, the higher education of the
partner increases marital satisfaction.
Disciplines :
Microeconomics
Author, co-author :
Joxhe, Majlinda ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) > Center for Research in Economic Analysis (CREA)
Tampieri, Alessandro; University of Greenwich, United Kingdom
Language :
English
Title :
The effects of Assortative Matching on Job and Marital Satisfaction through University Attendance