For better or for worse: an economic analysis of the decision to marry of young Filipino adults
Date
2006-03
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Abstract
The probability of early marriage (legally or informally, i.e., engagement in living-in arrangements) for young Filipino adults (15 to 24) was analyzed with respect to their work experience, educational attainment, wealth, type of residence, religion while controlling for other factors. Using data from the Young Adults Fertility Survey of 2003, a logit regression model was used to assess which factors will significantly affect this decision and which can be subjected to policy manipulation for the abbreviation of the ill consequences of early marriages. The findings show that, among other factors, a higher education, wealth, and an urban type of residence will contribute to the delay of marriage. It is also found that, generally, young males will marry later than young females. However, the proliferation and accessibility of modem medical technology such as birth control pills, condom, etc. will raise the likelihood of getting married early. On the other hand, the effect of religion to the decision to marry early is ambiguous and depends on the kind of religion one is adhering to.
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Young Filipino adults, Marriage decision, Family, Marriage, Marriage economics, Family formation