1. (7 pts.) What are the effects of assortative mating? Discuss the positive and negative aspects of this phenomenon.
Assortative mating is where individuals of the same income or education marry one another, the like pairs with the like. The positive aspect of assortative mating is that it builds prosperous as well as happy family alliances. The high-powered families where both parents are earners will use their talent and money to advance their children's interests. The children's creativity and innovation are natured at a tender age, hence enhancing their creativity. The negative aspect is that it spreads inequality through generations. For example, research from the Pew Research Center indicates that today the achievement gap between kids from poor and wealthy families is higher than it was 25 years ago. This increasing inequality will prove difficult to counter in the long-run.
2. (7 pts.) Discuss the arguments made for reducing inequality that results from assortative mating.
Assortative mating if not countered can lead to serious economic costs. Individuals whose families are not well connected may find it difficult to "marry up," and this may make them feel disengaged. Some children with family-based advantages can dishearten others from trying. Economist Jeremy Greenwood and other co-authors indicate that assortative mating is one of the factors that accounted for approximately one-third of income inequality increase between 1960 and 2005. Additionally, a Denmark research by Gustaf Bruze indicates that roughly half of the anticipated financial gain of attending college is obtained from meeting and marrying a spouse with a higher income and not from better job prospects.
3. (7 pts.) Do you think assortative mating is a positive or negative phenomenon? Why?
Assortative mating is a positive phenomenon. Children from these families have better prospects of living a productive and happy life. The parents can offer them the best training with their professionalism in their field of specialization being an example to the children. Couples who have nothing in common have a difficult time of both training and offering their children a happy life.
Works Cited
Cowen, Tyler. "The Marriages of Power Couples Reinforce Income Inequality." 24 December 2015. The New York Times. 1 December 2018 .
