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A Theory of Dual Job Search and Sex-Based Occupational Clustering

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  • Alan Benson

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="irel12095-abs-0001"> This paper theorizes and provides evidence for the segregation of men into clustered occupations and women into dispersed occupations in advance of marriage and in anticipation of future colocation problems. Using the Decennial Census, and controlling for occupational characteristics, I find evidence of this general pattern of segregation, and also find that the minority of the highly educated men and women who depart from this equilibrium experience delayed marriage, higher divorce, and lower earnings. Results are consistent with the theory that marriage and mobility expectations foment a self-fulfilling pattern of occupational segregation with individual departures deterred by earnings and marriage penalties.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Benson, 2015. "A Theory of Dual Job Search and Sex-Based Occupational Clustering," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 367-400, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indres:v:54:y:2015:i:3:p:367-400
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    Cited by:

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    2. Colleen Flaherty Manchester & Lisa M. Leslie & Patricia C. Dahm, 2019. "Bringing Home the Bacon: The Relationships among Breadwinner Role, Performance, and Pay," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(1), pages 46-85, January.
    3. Lindley, Joanne & Machin, Stephen, 2011. "Rising Wage Inequality and Postgraduate Education," IZA Discussion Papers 5981, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Murray-Close, Marta, 2019. "Living Far Apart Together: Dual-Career Location Constraints and Marital Noncohabitation," SocArXiv a9dc8, Center for Open Science.
    5. Mañé Vernet, Ferran & Miravet, Daniel, 2010. "Sobreeducación y Sobrecualificación en los Universitarios Catalanes. Una perspectiva de género," Working Papers 2072/179592, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Economics.
    6. Joanne Lindley & Stephen Machin, 2016. "The Rising Postgraduate Wage Premium," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 83(330), pages 281-306, April.
    7. Valeria Rueda & Guillaume Wilemme, 2021. "Career Paths with a Two-Body Problem: Occupational Specialization and Geographic Mobility," Upjohn Working Papers 21-346, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

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