Marital Status and Labor Union Participation

• In Event: 2483 - Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 09. Organizations and Movements

Abstract

According to traditional accounts of biographical availability and collective action, marriage inhibits participation in high-risk/cost social movements. However, this study hypothesized that it is a catalyst for social action in the case of unionization because married people are more likely to take risks to improve their livelihoods and so the material welfare of their families. This study assessed the impact of marital status on labor union participation through a longitudinal study of Korean workers. Results from fixed-effects regression analyses show that marriage increases the likelihood of union membership, especially among non-standard workers, indicating that marriage is critical for non-standard workers to develop class-consciousness. This study contributed to the literature on social movement studies and the sociology of work.

Author

• Dongwoo Park, Yonsei University