The implications of historic changes in the American industrial structure for the
marriage behavior of farm sons are examined using data from the 1880-1900 National Panel
Study. The analysis focuses on migration and occupational placement as mechanisms through
which the structure of local opportunities potentially affected family formation. The findings
suggest that narrowing opportunities for farm ownership channeled the sons of U.S. farmers into
farm labor and nonfarm occupations. These alternatives, in turn, reduced marriage chances during
the early adult years. In contrast, inter-county migration between childhood and young adulthood
increased the likelihood of marriage among the men in each occupation. Overall, the analysis
demonstrates clear linkages between opportunity, occupations, migration, and nuptiality.
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