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Assortative mating and the Industrial Revolution: England, 1754-2021

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  • Clark, Gregory
  • Cummins, Neil

Abstract

Using a new database of 1.7 million marriage records for England 1837-2021 we estimate assortment by occupational status in marriage, and the intergenerational correlation of occupational status. We find the underlying correlations of status groom-bride, and father-son, are remarkably high: 0.8 and 0.9 respectively. These correlations are unchanged 1837-2021. There is evidence this strong matching extends back to at least 1754. Even before formal education and occupations for women, grooms and brides matched tightly on educational and occupational abilities. We show further that women contributed as much as men to important child outcomes. This implies strong marital sorting substantially increased the variance of social abilities in England. Pre-industrial marital systems typically involved much less marital sorting. Thus the development of assortative marriage may play a role in the location and timing of the Industrial Revolution, through its effect on the supply of those with upper-tail abilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Clark, Gregory & Cummins, Neil, 2022. "Assortative mating and the Industrial Revolution: England, 1754-2021," Economic History Working Papers 114608, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Economic History.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:wpaper:114608
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pérez, Santiago, 2019. "Intergenerational Occupational Mobility across Three Continents," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 79(2), pages 383-416, June.
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    3. Jeremy Greenwood & Nezih Guner & Georgi Kocharkov & Cezar Santos, 2014. "Marry Your Like: Assortative Mating and Income Inequality," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(5), pages 348-353, May.
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    6. Jason Long & Joseph Ferrie, 2013. "Intergenerational Occupational Mobility in Great Britain and the United States since 1850: Reply," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(5), pages 2041-2049, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    human capital development; occupational mobility; technology transfer; post-war reconstruction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-

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