ABSTRACT
This chapter applies the theory of compensating differentials in marriage, to the case of marriage between members of two groups. The degree of homogamy-i.e. assortative mating-in one area, such as religion, is related to the similarity of husband's and wife's characteristics in other areas, such as education, age, and divorced status. Despite some similarities, this theory differs from the theory of compensatory reciprocal exchange developed by sociologists (see Part One). Analysis within a comprehensive economic theory of marriage leads to some insights that do not follow from the earlier sociological literature. This theory also differs from other economic theories of religious intermarriage, which have been based on the premise that religious homogamy is always a positive marital trait (Becker 1974, Becker et al. 1977, Chiswick and Lehrer 1992 and Lehrer and Chiswick 1992).
