Homogamy, global and educational distance between spouses

Authors

  • Alda Botelho Azevedo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP2015797112

Abstract

This article analyzes whether the process of recognition, validation and certification of competences (RVCC) can be a part of an attempt for an adult to converge his education level to the spouse’s. Taking as a starting point the theoretical framework on the spouse choice and homogamy, 289 questionnaires were applied to adults in the RVCC process, in Lisbon, during 2009. The school and family formation trajectories were reconstructed to analyze the global and educational distance between spouses. Data analysis showed that despite the prevalence of homogamy in the studied population, the presence of atypical cases emphasized the relevance of the study of heterogamy. When there is a difference in the educational level of the spouses, the adult in the RVCC process will approach his spouse. In the homogamic couples, the RVCC process brings out the schooling of the female population, the so called educational hypogamy.

Published

2015-07-06

Issue

Section

Artigos