Gender Differences in Remarriage Formation in Korea

Abstract

Using the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study(KLIPS), this study analyzes gender differences in remarriage formation after first marriage dissolution. First, overall, the data indicate that males are more likely than females to remarry after marital dissolution. However, the gender gap in remarriage hazards first increases and then decreases with time after first marriage dissolution. Second, higher education is associated with a higher likelihood of remarriage and the effect of educational attainment on remarriage remains consistent across both sexes. Third, more recent birth cohorts are less likely than earlier birth cohorts to remarry among males but females show the opposite pattern. In particular, contrary to earlier female birth cohorts, females born after 1960 are more likely to remarry than their male counterpart. Fourth, age at first marriage dissolution is negatively associated with remarriage. In particular, marital dissolution after age 50 significantly reduces the likelihood of remarriage. Fifth, with regard to the effect of types of marriage dissolution, widowhood significantly reduces the probability of remarriage among females, while for males, divorce has a greater impact on remarriage. Lastly, first marriage duration is positively associated with the likelihood of remarriage for males but females show the opposite pattern.