Motivations to Marry (Or Not)

It’s easy to find family formation experts who predict that the wide education gap between men and women will not affect marriage rates among whites, as it has among blacks. Given the sharp increase in the use of sperm banks among unmarried, college-educated white women, I’m skeptical of that optimism. But a lot rides on this. I consider the “marriageable mate” dilemma the most important impact of the education gender gaps.

Here’s a new study summarized in the New York Times that explains the low marriage rate among black women.