Humans care far more about how their “social equals” are living today than what their teachers said or insinuated years ago. Consistent with this story, social class fully accounts for education’s effects on marriage and divorce in modern America.55 Staying in school gets individuals into the elite club, which in turn helps them get married and avoid divorce. When everyone stays in school longer, however, the elite club jacks up its membership requirements, leaving the prevalence of marriage unchanged.
