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The age difference at marriage in England and Wales: a century of patterns and trends

The age difference at marriage in England and Wales: a century of patterns and trends
The age difference at marriage in England and Wales: a century of patterns and trends
In the last 100 years the mean age difference at marriage in England and Wales has fluctuated in the range 2–3 years, but without exhibiting any long-run trend. Nevertheless, an age gap of 2–3 years is not typical. A 1-year gap is the most common in recent years and there is a good deal of variation between couples. Marriage partners are closer in age than would be predicted if men and women were matched at random by age. There is little evidence that the age difference is governed by strong social norms. Some explanations for diversity and change in the age difference are discussed.
0307-4463
7-14
Ní Bhrolcháin, Máire
c9648b58-880e-4296-a173-7241449e0078
Ní Bhrolcháin, Máire
c9648b58-880e-4296-a173-7241449e0078

Ní Bhrolcháin, Máire (2005) The age difference at marriage in England and Wales: a century of patterns and trends. Population Trends, 120, Summer Issue, 7-14.

Record type: Article

Abstract

In the last 100 years the mean age difference at marriage in England and Wales has fluctuated in the range 2–3 years, but without exhibiting any long-run trend. Nevertheless, an age gap of 2–3 years is not typical. A 1-year gap is the most common in recent years and there is a good deal of variation between couples. Marriage partners are closer in age than would be predicted if men and women were matched at random by age. There is little evidence that the age difference is governed by strong social norms. Some explanations for diversity and change in the age difference are discussed.

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Published date: 2005

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 34801
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/34801
ISSN: 0307-4463
PURE UUID: b6e9cf53-0854-4c9a-8af1-993d70b10d11

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Date deposited: 15 May 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:49

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Author: Máire Ní Bhrolcháin

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