Introduction
Researchers in the sphere of the labor economy agree that there is a connection between marital status and the number of wages earned by men (Korenman and Neumark 283). Married men tend to earn more than single ones. Entering a stable marital relationship seems to positively influence the work performance of men and gradually increase their income up to 20%, according to data collected by Ahituv and Lerman (1). There is, however, some controversy in connection to earnings-marriage relations. Thus, there exists a certain determination in scientific circles that successful earners tend to strengthen their financial status with or without marriage (Ahituv and Lerman 1). Professional athletes depending on their results could also be major wealth generators in the family. It is, therefore, paramount to discover whether the marriage could help improve financial status among representatives of this profession.
Marriage Gap
Hill notes that marriage assists a man to establish stable management of the structure of their earnings and spendings, which eventually leads to better wealth generation (580). Marriage adds new responsibilities and expense items such as anniversary dinners, presents, and children. Previously sufficient wages become inadequate, and a man typically strives for better positions in the company to meet the needs of his family. Single males, however, do not have the above-mentioned additional spendings and are often content with what they have. Additionally, married people do not tend to move around the country in the search of a better job, as it is usually challenging to relocate having a wife and children. Therefore, they have a propensity to work harder in an aspiration to receive a promotion on the job they have.
Single people relocate more easily and often change jobs, which undermines their capacity to get elevations and earn more (Hill 580). Wives often motivate their spouses to earn more because money offers more freedom in organizing daily life and ensuring better choices of leisure activities. Single men could allow themselves a privilege of cheaper leisure due to paying only for themselves.
Earning Perspectives in Athletics for Married and Single Men
Despite all three articles focusing on different groups of employed males, all three of them seem to agree that married people in all spheres seem to earn more. Korenman and Neumark conducted a longitudinal study, the sample of which included a variety of employment spheres (288). The crucial factors for the research were age and marital status. The authors found a significant difference in wages in favor of married and divorced groups of male participants (Korenman and Neumark 289). That fact could speak in favor of professional athletes earning more if they are married.
As in any sphere of professional activity, in athletics, there seems to be plenty of room to grow. The need for better wages could stimulate married professional sportsmen to train more and perform better in competitions. This is partly explained in the research by Ahituv and Lerman who state that the presence of children and the need for more money to satisfy the family needs contribute to better performance at work, which, in its turn, is connected with higher rates of pay (28). In professional competitive athletics, payment is often strongly linked to the sportsman’s achievements. The fact that a married male athlete has support in the face of his family can be considered as more motivated than the one who achieves results for personal benefit or out of pure rivalry.
However, it could be argued that the relocation factor could not be as influential in terms of wages as in conventional employment because a career in athletics often requires a sportsman to travel. According to Hall, one of the major factors that affect a married man’s working habits is the commitment to his job. As it was mentioned earlier, career opportunities tend to brighten as the zeal grows (588). Ahituv and Lerman also mention that there is a strong correlation between commitment and results (38). The findings of the two studies seem to be consistent with the situation in professional athletics. Thus, if we consider that the assumption backed by quantitative and qualitative data is true, then the results of the studies could also apply to athletics.
Conclusion
All things considered, there is a considerable amount of representative data presented in the three studies under discussion. The findings seem to be projectable on married and unmarried sportsmen in the sphere of Athletics. This is mainly possible due to the fact that the three studies were focused on age and marital status including a broad range of participants’ occupations. All three studies are consistent with the idea that there is a strong correlation between the increase in earnings among married men in comparison to single ones. Married athletes could exhibit similar patterns of behavior including higher levels of commitment to their profession. The latter is often associated with higher results, which often brings sportspeople higher rates of pay. The meaning of family support could also be a significant factor contributing to the successes in the sporting career, which once more proves that marriage seems to be beneficial for earnings.
Works Cited
Ahituv, Avner, and Robert Lerman. “How do marital status, wage rates, and work commitment interact?” IZA Discussion Papers, no. 1688, 2005, pp. 1-42.
Hill, Martha S. “The Wage Effects of Marital Status and Children.” The Journal of Human Resources, vol. 14, no. 4, 1979, pp. 579–94.
Korenman, Sanders, and David Neumark. “Does Marriage Really Make Men More Productive?” The Journal of Human Resources, vol. 26, no. 2, 1991, pp. 282–307.