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The linguistic driver of divorce

Author

Listed:
  • Lian, Zeng
  • Lien, Donald
  • Sun, Jiawei

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of pro-drop language usage on divorce behaviours and attitudes. Using country-level divorce data and individual responses from the World Values Survey, we find that pro-drop speakers are less likely to be divorced and express lower support for divorce. These patterns hold after controlling for linguistic, cultural, and agro-climatic factors, and persist in within-country and matched-sample analyses. Mechanism analysis shows that while pro-drop aligns with collectivist values that discourage divorce, its association with divorce attitudes is only partly explained by them. Evidence from second-generation immigrants links parental exposure to pro-drop with children’s views on divorce, suggesting intergenerational influence of linguistic environments. The findings highlight the role of grammar in familial outcomes and offer insights for policymakers designing linguistically informed policy nudges.

Suggested Citation

  • Lian, Zeng & Lien, Donald & Sun, Jiawei, 2026. "The linguistic driver of divorce," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:241:y:2026:i:c:s0167268125004676
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.107350
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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