The Cultural Revolution and Marital Delay in China

Posted: 10 May 2017

See all articles by Dong Zhou

Dong Zhou

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Xue Li

Hunan University

Date Written: May 7, 2016

Abstract

This paper empirically studies the impacts of intense exposure to the Cultural Revolution on individual’s marriage decisions in China:timing of first marriage and denial in marriage. Consistent evidences from multiple national census datasets indicate that the intensely affected cohorts’ first marriages have been delayed by 1.2-2 years on average and more of them keep single. We also find heterogeneous effects across population in accordance with historical events. More substantial delaying effects are observed for females, urban resident, groups classified as bad social status and those who encountered multiple disruptions as well as those who primarily experienced disturbances in adolescence. These findings are robust to different identification strategies, model specifications, contemporary comparisons and various datasets.

Keywords: Marital Decision, the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Send-Down Experience, Adolescence

JEL Classification: J11, J12, O15, Z13

Suggested Citation

Zhou, Dong and Li, Xue, The Cultural Revolution and Marital Delay in China (May 7, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2964451

Dong Zhou (Contact Author)

Shanghai Jiao Tong University ( email )

No.800, Dongchuan Rd., Minhang District
Shanghai, 200420
China

Xue Li

Hunan University ( email )

2 Lushan South Rd
Changsha, CA Hunan 410082
China

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