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Age difference asymmetry and a two-sex perspective

Asymétrie des différences d'âge entre époux dans une perspective bisseuxuée

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Abstract

The paper shows that (a) the age difference between spouses can be and has been different for men and women; (b) male and female age differences can exhibit different trends; (c) the discrepancy is due to remarriage; (d) the age difference fluctuates substantially through time; (e) trends in the age difference are not readily interpretable as reflecting change in the relative status of the sexes; and (f) that trends in the age difference may be linked to marriage market conditions. The paper argues that marriage and fertility data for both men and women are increasingly necessary because of rises in marital breakdown and the associated divergence of the experience of men and women.

Résumé

Cet article montre que (a) les différences d'âge entre époux peuvent être et ont été dissemblables pour les hommes et les femmes; (b) les différences d'âge masculines et féminines peuvent présenter des tendances différentes; (c) la divergence est due aux remariages; (d) les différences d'âge varient de façon importante au cours du temps; (e) les tendances dans les différences d'âge ne sont pas simplement interprétables en termes de changements dans le statut relatif des sexes; et (f) les tendances dans les différences d'âge peuvent être reliées aux conditions du marché matrimonial. L'article montre que les données sur le mariage et la fécondité à la fois des hommes et des femmes, sont de plus en plus nécessaires du fait de l'accroissement des ruptures d'unions et de la divergence des expériences masculines et féminines, qui lui est associée.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Statistics, Southampton University, S09 5NH, Southampton, UK

    Máire Ní Bhrolcháin

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  1. Máire Ní Bhrolcháin
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An earlier version of this paper, “His and her age gap: asymmetry in the age difference between partners”, was a contributed paper to Session F27 of the General Conference of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, New Delhi, 20–27 September 1989. A longer version appeared as LS Working Paper 70, issued by City University Social Statistics Research Unit, September 1990.

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Bhrolcháin, M.N. Age difference asymmetry and a two-sex perspective. Eur J Population 8, 23–45 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01797120

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01797120

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