Effects of social capital on romance and marriage

I investigate how social capital affects romance and marriage in the Japanese society. In Japan, the percent never married has increased to males 19.4% and females 9.8% (2010). This results in a serious decrease of the total fertility rate to 1.4 (2010). However, the transition from romance to marriage to childbirth is yet to be clarified.

    Therefore, I focus on the effects of social capital on getting boyfriends and girlfriends and getting married. Social capital, such as friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, may play significant roles in such events. For this purpose, I conducted a survey with 1,221 respondents (the response rate 50.1%).

    Based on regression analyses and event history analyses, I show (i) human capital (measured in education) has no effects on romance but has significant effects on marriage. (ii) Social capital has significant effects both on romance and marriage. (iii) Getting boyfriends and girlfriends, especially in their teens, significantly boosts probability of getting married. This means romance functions as social capital. So, romance and marriage are rational in the sense that they are promoted by social capital and human capital.