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Why Have the Labor Force Participation Rates of Older Men Increased since the Mid-1990s?

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  • Tammy Schirle

Abstract

This article seeks to explain the substantial increases in older men's labor force participation rates observed since the mid-1990s. Using data from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, I exploit the cohort effects driving recent increases in older women's participation rates to identify the effect of a wife's participation decision on her husband's participation decision. I then decompose the changes in older married men's participation rates, demonstrating that husbands' responses to increases in wives' participation in the labor force can explain one-fourth, one-half, and one-third of the increase in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, respectively. (c) 2008 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

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  • Tammy Schirle, 2008. "Why Have the Labor Force Participation Rates of Older Men Increased since the Mid-1990s?," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 26(4), pages 549-594, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:v:26:y:2008:i:4:p:549-594
    DOI: 10.1086/589457
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    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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