TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Cigno, Alessandro
        TI  - What's the Use of Marriage?
        PY  - 2009/Dec/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 4635
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp4635
        AB  - We use elementary game-theoretical concepts to compare domestic equilibria with and without marriage. In particular, we examine the effects of marriage legislation, matrimonial property regime, and divorce court sentencing practice, on the decision to marry, and on the choice of game conditional on marriage. We find that, in the absence of social stigma or legal discrimination against unmarried couples, a couple will marry only if marriage serves as a commitment device which facilitates cooperation.
        KW  - fertility
KW  - matrimonial property
KW  - alimony
KW  - divorce
KW  - marriage
KW  - cohabitation
KW  - gender
KW  - division of labour
        ER  -