increased education leads to better marriages and stronger families. College graduates are less likely to divorce -- and more specifically, families with highly educated mothers are half as likely to split. So says an upcoming article in Demographic Research by Steven P. Martin, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland. Looking at marriages that began between 1990 and 1994, Mr. Martin found that, of marriages in which the wife had a college education (or more), only 16.5% dissolved in the first 10 years, compared with 38% in which the wife had only a high-school diploma.Any ideas on why this connection exists?
(Source: Greg Mankiw's Blog)
9 comments:
College is a place where people mature—college is a way for 18-24 year olds to date around and meet a lot of new people, while undergoing a period of maturation and personal growth. In college, people “find themselves” and get all the teenage “kinks” out. If you marry someone before you know what you want out of life, you are probably in trouble. Also, people that go to college may actually put off marriage for a later date (once they get their “ducks in a row” such as get a stable career and be ok financially by themselves). The highest divorce rate is that of teenage marriages (usually high school sweethearts). People with college educations are more likely to work all day; therefore, they probably make more money—the number one reason for divorce and marital problems are because of financial deficits or monetary dilemmas. Someone blogged on Greg Mankiw’s site and said that more financial stable relationships have more at stake; if they combine all of their things and money, then divorce will actually be a larger hassle than people with less money. The more well-off couples may be more willing to work to find a solution to their problems, rather than dealing with the financial aspects of the situation. Also, more financial stable relationships, although they might have problems, may have more money to pay for marriage counseling if needed. More financially stable couples may also be able to go on more vacations, allotting more family time along with more relaxation. They can afford to take time off for rest, remiss, and play. There are so many reasons this could be true, but I do agree that college and education could actually help keep marriage healthy and sound.
--Alena
One reason why this connection exists is because the couple doesn't experience as the article says and "diminishing returns." The two people who have college degrees have successful jobs and thus spend the day working at that job. So, the couple doesn't spend every waking hour with each other and the potential for them to get tired of each other decreases. And since they both make decent money, financial problems effect the success of the relationship. Each person carries their weight in the relationship and they both contribute to make it a solid success. That is why college grads experience more successful marriages.
-Chris Templin
I agree with Templin's argument. By having degrees, these grads are spending the good portion of their time at work, away from the potential boredeom and annoyance of the relationship. Also, it seems logical that people with degrees are more aware of the feelings and emotions of a human, as well as the reactions of certain circumstances. By being educated about these consequences, these people will know to avoid these types of actions which lead to bad emotions. Also, less problems will arise on a more non-emotional state, as money and security will not be as big of a factor.
Nick Wellmon
Maybe people with a college education are more inclined to relate to eachother on a deeper level. It seems that those who go to college have some deeper interests and multiple layers of complexity. Perhaps those who can't get into college are more one-dimensional, making it easier to get tired of eachother over time. With some kind of deeper compatibility of intellect and interest, it might be easier to stay together.
-Jordan Croom
I think that the reason why college educated woman stay together longer is because they are not as dependant financially. A woman who marries with just a high school education is more than likely going to marry a man who can create the majority of the income for the family. This creates a very large amount of stress on the one man who is expected to generate enough income to support the entire family. The stress would be tremendous, and i think that the wife would not be able to relate to the husband, because she more then likely does not have a job. However, a wife with a college education will be qualified to have a good job, and she will be able to contribute to the financial neccessities of the household. A wife with a college education will reduce the stress.
-Schulz
I think the most likely explanation for a lower divorce rate among college grads is the fact that, in general, they are probably more financially stable, and a larger financial setback may result in a divorce.
I idea that college grads are smarter than non- college grads, and therefore make better decisions, is absolutely rediculous. Who is to say that A Harvard grad doesn't have the capacity to make a bad decision? Furthermore, who is to say a divorce is a bad decision at all...It all depends on the individual case.
Caitie
I agree with everyone so far that it definitely makes sense for a better educated family to stay together longer. Going along the lines of what Alena was saying when someone is going through college they are mentally maturing. They arn't nessecarily going to make the same kind of rash descisions that they might have made in high school. This maturing helps so that an individual knows what they are looking for and what direction they are headed in life. In college it is easier to meet people that are headed in the same general direction as you are, and it only makes sense that this leads to longer lasting relationships.
-James c
When both people in a marriage have a college education they are more likely to stay married because usually they get married at an older age--after college--and are therefore more mature and more ready to handle marriage. College educated people are able to make more educated and thought out decisions about the people they date and what they are looking for in a person. Also, if both people have a college education, they are more likely to have similar backgrounds. If they were brought up similarly they will have more in common and get along better. Also, the couple will most likely be more financially stable which removes a lot of the stress in marriages. People who managed to get a college degree are more able to work out problems and deal with the consequences of their actions.
-emily s.
I don't completely buy the "maturity" factor in going to college. I can certainly say there are many non-college-goers who act more responsibly than graduates. I definitely go with the financial aspect. No matter what anyone says, money is the single most influential factor in any relationship. The lack of it causes tension that often causes a split. So if you take into account the fact that those who do graduate college likely have a higher annual income than those who don't then that argument is justified. Many times it is easier to combine incomes and split the cost of luxurious items like a fancy house, nice car, etc... and the easiest way to accomplish that material craving is to have someone help you. I'm not sure i completely agree with the "not spending time with each other all day because of a job" rationale either because those who are not financially stable are likely working several jobs and are away from home even more than those with high-paying "corporate America" jobs.
-Tyler
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