Reexamining the Economic Costs of Marital Disruption for Women

Matthew McKeever and Nicholas H. Wolfinger

Social Science Quarterly, 2001, vol. 82, issue 1, 202-217

Abstract: Objective. Changes in labor force participation and returns may have lessened divorce's traditionally severe economic consequences for women. Method. We use recent data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) to analyze the economic well‐being of women whose marriages ended between the first and second waves of data collection. Results. Comparing pre‐ and postmarital median per capita income shows that marital disruption now has much more modest economic consequences for women than in years gone by. A multivariate analysis suggests that their higher postdivorce incomes can be primarily attributed to labor force participation and human capital. Conclusions. These findings suggest better life chances for divorcèes and their children.

Date: 2001
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