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On the economic determinants of prostitution: marriage compensation and unilateral divorce in U.S. states.
- Source :
- Review of Economics of the Household; Sep2023, Vol. 21 Issue 3, p941-1017, 77p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Understanding the determinants of prostitution is key to regulate it. This paper studies the hypothesis that marriage conditions are an economic determinant of female prostitution. I exploit differences in the timing of entry into force of divorce laws across U.S. states to explore the effect of such laws on arrests of female prostitutes. Using a difference-in-difference design, I find that unilateral divorce leads to a reduction of female arrested prostitutes between 5–10%. Results are consistent with the notion that improving marriage opportunities can be a powerful force to deter entry into prostitution for a subset of the population who is inframarginal. Lack of alternatives are key to explain the choice to conduct this activity. To this extent, this work is part of a broader research agenda hinting at improvements in gender equality as a mean for tapering off female prostitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15695239
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Review of Economics of the Household
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 164944844
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11150-022-09643-5