Gendered labor market adjustments around marital and cohabiting union transitions during Europe’s early cohabitation diffusion

Background: While cross-sectional differences in hours worked, household income, and individual income among single, cohabiting, and married individuals are well documented, less is known about labor market changes that occur around the time of union transitions. Objective: This paper examines labor market dynamics surrounding changes in union status during a time when cohabitation was rising across Europe but had not yet become as widespread as it is now. It distinguishes transitions between individuals who start cohabiting, marry directly, and marry after cohabitation. Methods: Using the European Community Household Panel for 14 European countries in 1994–2001, this study assesses (1) differences in the level of both work income and hours worked for men and women across union status and (2) changes in household income, individual income, and hours worked at the time of transition from singlehood into either marriage or a nonmarital cohabiting union, and from cohabitation into marriage. Results: Men increase their work hours when entering their first marriage directly from singlehood but not if they were previously cohabiting. Conversely, women reduce both hours and income when they enter marriage (even if they were cohabiting before) but not when entering cohabiting unions. Conclusions: Getting married is a critical junction for women’s reductions in hours worked and individual income, regardless of whether they previously cohabited. Men who directly marry increase their hours worked, unlike those who cohabit first. Contribution: This paper analyzes the labor market dynamics among individuals entering different union statuses, with a focus on gender differences and a distinction between direct marriages and those following cohabitation.