A Cautionary Tale about the Use of Administrative Data: Evidence from Age of Marriage Laws
Rebecca M. Blank, Kerwin Kofi Charles and James M. Sallee
|
| Article Citation |
Blank, Rebecca M., Kerwin Kofi Charles, and James M. Sallee. 2009. "A Cautionary Tale about the Use of Administrative Data: Evidence from Age of Marriage Laws." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 1(2): 128–49.
DOI:10.1257/app.1.2.128
|
| Abstract |
This paper demonstrates that administrative data may be inferior to
survey data under particular circumstances. We examine the effect
of state laws governing the minimum age of marriage in the United
States. The estimated effects of these laws are much smaller when
based on retrospective reports from census versus administrative
records from Vital Statistics data. This discrepancy appears due
to systematic avoidance behavior of two kinds. Some young people
marry in states with less restrictive laws; others appear to have misrepresented
their age on their marriage certificate. Our results have
important implications regarding legal avoidance and the use of
administrative data. (JEL J12 K36)
|
| Article Full-Text Access |
|
| AEJ Discussion Forum |
View Comments on This Article (0)
| Post A Comment on This Article (AEA Members)
|
| Additional Materials |
Download Data Set
| Additional Materials
|
| Authors |
Blank, Rebecca M. (Brookings Institution)
Charles, Kerwin Kofi (U Chicago)
Sallee, James M. (U Chicago)
|
| JEL Classifications |
J12: Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure; Domestic Abuse
K36: Family and Personal Law
|
|
|
|
(pp. 64 - 87)