[Social status and marriage within the medical profession].

BACKGROUND

There are many reasons to expect a high level of homogamy in the medical profession, i.e. that many physicians marry another physician. The question raised here is whether social status--level of academic performance and social origin--influences the probability of finding a partner within the profession.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The answer is based on a sample of 3,500 Norwegian physicians who graduated between 1981 and 1996. Their marriage patterns are analysed by logistic regression models estimating the impact of grades and social origin as well as a number of control variables.

RESULTS

A female physician's probability of marrying a male physician increased systematically by grades and was highest among those whose parents had advanced degrees. Among male physicians, the impact of grades varied by social origin. Among men born to parents with a high level of education, their propensity of marrying within the medical profession increased the higher their grades were. Among those without this parental background, no such tendency was found.

INTERPRETATION

The results may indicate that female physicians seek to maximize the status of their partners, while men, especially the most ambitious, seek complementary partners. The most attractive men may, however, get early involved in relationships that are not optimal in relation to their career aspirations.