Crossing the Threshold: Men's Incomes, Attitudes Toward the Provider Role, and Marriage Timing

Abstract

The later marriages of recent cohorts have been attributed, in part, to men's declining real wages and women's preferences for high-earning mates. This study was designed to investigate the influence of men's gender role attitudes and income on their entrance into marriage. Data come from the longitudinal High School and Beyond survey. The results show that if men anticipated being the primary economic provider in their marriages, their incomes predicted their likelihood of marriage. Income had little effect on marriage for men who expected to share the provider role. The findings indicate that the relationship between men's income and marriage is influenced by their gender role attitudes.