Abstract : The decisions that young individuals and their families make regarding transitions
from school into work, marriage, and parenthood can produce longlasting
effects on their opportunities and well-being. For young women, in particular,
schooling duration may affect the timing of other key transitions, such
as their age at marriage and at first birth, and hence also their ability to engage
in remunerative work.
This article investigates the complex interrelationships between these transitions,
with a particular focus on the influence of education on the timing of
marriage and childbearing and on the ensuing effects on labor market participation.
We emphasize the role of family background in shaping these intertwined
critical life-course decisions.
