The Economic Costs of Marital Dissolution: Why Do Women Bear a Disproportionate Cost?

TLDR

The study reviews literature on the economic consequences of marital dissolution for women, focusing on the United States. The authors examine empirical studies and measurement issues to identify preexisting and direct sources of women’s postdissolution economic insecurity. Longitudinal studies show that divorce and widowhood have negative and prolonged effects on women’s economic well‑being, whereas for men marital dissolution often improves economic standards.

Abstract

"We review the literature on the economic consequences of marital dissolution for women. Longitudinal studies of the effects of divorce and widowhood indicate that both types of dissolutions have negative and prolonged consequences for women's economic well-being. This is not the case for men, where marital dissolution often leads to an improved economic standard of living. Following an examination of empirical studies and measurement issues in the divorce and widowhood literatures, we describe preexisting and direct sources of women's postdissolution economic insecurity." The primary geographical focus is on the United States.