Has the Post-communist Transformation Led to an Increase in Educational Homogamy in the Czech Republic after 1989?
Has the Post-communist Transformation Led to an Increase in Educational Homogamy in the Czech Republic after 1989?

Summary/Abstract: This article analyses trends in educational homogamy in Czech society from 1988 to 2000. Two hypotheses are tested: (1) that educational homogamy strengthened as a result of growing economic uncertainty during the 1990s, and (2) that educational homogamy is higher among younger newlyweds than among people who get married after 30 years of age. The authors analyse vital statistics data on all new marriages for the years 1988, 1991, 1993, 1997 and 2000. Using a log-linear analysis the first hypothesis was refuted, as no change in the tendency towards homogamous marriages was observed during the 1990s in the Czech Republic. Stronger support was found for the second hypothesis, as educational homogamy is indeed much higher among younger than older couples. Finally, the article includes a discussion of some possible explanations for the absence of a trend towards homogamy that was detected.

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