A Theory of Dual Job Search and Sex-Based Occupational Clustering

Abstract

I present a theory of couples’ job search whereby women sort into lower-paying geographically-dispersed occupations due to expectations of future spouses’ geographically-clustered occupations and (thereby) inability to relocate for work. Results confirm men segregate into geographically-clustered occupations, and that these occupations involve more-frequent early career relocations for both sexes. I also find that the minority of the men and women who depart from this equilibrium experience delayed marriage, higher divorce, and lower earnings. Results corroborate the theory’s implication that marriage and mobility expectations foment a self-fulfilling pattern of occupational segregation with individual departures deterred by earnings and marriage penalties.

Keywords: Human Capital, Occupational Choice, Marriage, Job Search, Earnings Differentials

JEL Classification: J12, J16, J21, J24, J31, J61