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Chapter 18: Problem 7

A column in the New York Times observed that the "growing trend of 'assortative mating' is a major cause of income inequality." a. What is assortative mating? b. How can assortative mating contribute to income inequality? c. If assortative mating is a major cause of income inequality, what are the likely consequences for government policies intended to reduce income inequality?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Assortative mating is a pattern where individuals with similar socio-economic status tend to marry each other. This trend can increase income inequality, as the wealth continues to accumulate among the rich, creating a larger gap with the poor. It posits a challenge for government policies aiming to reduce income inequality as the typical redistribution policies might not be enough to counteract its effects. Instead, it may necessitate strategies aimed at fundamental causes of inequality such as extending equal educational opportunities.

Step by step solution

01

Define Assortative Mating

Assortative mating is a concept in sociology and economics, which refers to the pattern where individuals of a similar socio-economic background or levels of income and education marry or couple with each other more often than under a randomized situation.
02

Explain the Impact of Assortative Mating on Income Inequality

When people with similar income levels tend to marry each other, it can exacerbate income disparity in society. For example, if high income earners only marry other high income earners, and low-income earners only marry other low-income earners, this could widen the gap between the two groups, leading to a rise in income inequality.
03

Predict the Consequences on Government Policies

If assortative mating significantly contributes to income inequality, it could complicate government efforts to reduce income inequality. Policies based on redistributing income, for example, might struggle to achieve their intended effects. This pattern might lead to a need for policies addressing the root causes of inequality, such as education and opportunities, instead of just symptoms like disparate income.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe the main factors economists believe cause inequality of income.

What is the difference between a progressive tax and a regressive tax? Give an example of each.

Why do economists often use a lower poverty threshold for low-income countries than for high-income countries such as the United States? Is there a difference between relative poverty and absolute poverty? Briefly explain.

An article in a Federal Reserve publication noted that "nearly all taxes create some market inefficiency in the form of deadweight loss." The article further noted that when something is taxed, the result is "an outcome in which both [buyers and sellers] would gain from more production." a. Briefly explain why taxes result in deadweight loss. b. If buyers and sellers would gain from more production of a good or service that is taxed, why doesn't more of the good or service get produced?"

(Related to the Chapter Opener on page 600) In a column in the Washington Post, Robert J. Samuelson wrote, "As for what's caused greater inequality, we're also in the dark. The Reagan and Bush tax cuts are weak explanations, because gains have occurred in pretax incomes.... Up to a point, inequality is inevitable and desirable." a. What are pretax incomes? b. Do you agree with Samuelson's argument that income inequality may be inevitable and desirable? Briefly explain.
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