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Wealth in Couples: Introduction to the Special Issue

Author

Listed:
  • Philipp M. Lersch

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    DIW Berlin/SOEP)

  • Emanuela Struffolino

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    University of Milan)

  • Agnese Vitali

    (University of Trento)

Abstract

The assumption that economic resources are equally shared within households has been found to be untenable for income but is still often upheld for wealth. In this introduction to the special issue “Wealth in Couples”, we argue that within-household inequality in wealth is a pertinent and under-researched area that is ripe for development. To this end, we outline the relevance of wealth for demographic research, making the distinction between individual and household wealth. Drawing on a life-course perspective, we discuss individual wealth accumulation within couples and its links to family-demographic processes, the institutional context, and norms on pooling and sharing. We conclude with a brief summary of the main findings from the special issue and highlight implications for demographic research and for future research in this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp M. Lersch & Emanuela Struffolino & Agnese Vitali, 2022. "Wealth in Couples: Introduction to the Special Issue," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(4), pages 623-641, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:38:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s10680-022-09640-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-022-09640-5
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    1. Agnese Vitali & Romina Fraboni, 2022. "Pooling of Wealth in Marriage: The Role of Premarital Cohabitation," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(4), pages 721-754, October.
    2. Flavia Mazzeo & Nicole Hiekel & Agnese Vitali, 2024. "Joint pot or separate purses? Unpacking the cohabitation-marriage gap in income pooling across Europe," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2024-024, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.

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