Patterns and Trends of Educational Mating in Korea

Abstract

This study examines the patterns and trends in the association between wives' and husbands' educational attainment during 1950-79 in Korea. Log-linear analysis traces the educational mating of successive marriage cohorts. using Korean censuses. The most prominent feature in educational mating in Korea overtime has been a rapid increase in college homogamy during 1960-79. which has increased three times every decade since the 1950s. This increase reflects the increasing rigidity of the status order in Korea during the I 960s and 1970s. This result is consistent with the conflict perspective. which argues that the dominant strata consolidates its class culture through homogamous marriages. From 1970-79. hypergamy increased in Korea. sustaining the traditional marriage pattern while Korea underwent industrialization. Although Korean couples married during 1970-79 have greater educational hypogamy. it is thought to he due to demographic changes in age heterogamous couples.