France
Compares the relationship between female education & first union formation in France vs in Sweden. As in Sweden, levels of female educational attainment & employment in France have risen dramatically in recent years, while entry into marriage has been increasingly delayed, according to national statistics. Unlike Sweden, though, educational level in France is found to have a strong effect on nonstudents' choice between marriage & cohabitation. It is concluded that the patterns of historical development of gender differ between France & Sweden, although there are still many similarities. 7 Tables, 2 Figures, 25 References. M. Wagner