Effect of Marriage and Spousal Criminality on Recidivism
Written by: Signe Hald Andersen, Lars Højsgaard Andersen and Peer Ebbesen Skov
The analysis compares former male criminal offenders who marry with equivalent male offenders who remain single. There is a lower probability of those that marry falling back into criminal ways. However, the finding that marriage reduces criminality among men has a significant qualification. It only applies if the woman that the man marries has no criminal conviction. A marriage to a female offender has no effect on the likelihood of the man committing more crime.
Related publications

Scientific journal
Effect of Marriage and Spousal Criminality on Recidivism
Go to Journal of Marriage and FamilyRelevant employees

Lars Højsgaard Andersen
Research Professor and
Head of Research in Marginalised groups
lha@rff.dk
+45 61 66 63 78
Family and social conditions

Peer Ebbesen Skov
Senior Researcher
ps@rff.dk
Labour market and employment

Signe Hald Andersen
Chief of Interventions, Research Professor
sha@rfintervention.dk
+45 20 69 82 82
Family and social conditions
Health and well-being
Latest releases on the same welfare topic

Comment
The population forecast is incorrect and highly problematic
June 2025

Comment
The government’s sentencing reform marks a refreshing shift: Time served is now to be used wisely
June 2025

Analysis
Fathers are taking more parental leave
June 2025

Comment
Researchers: Harsher penalties may in fact be effective — but perhaps not for the reasons journalists had in mind
June 2025