Are Couples with Young Children More Likely to Split Up When the Mother is the Main or an Equal Earner

Bibliographic Data

ID2322396
AuthorsShireen Kanji (0000-0003-3512-2596, University of Basel), Pia S Schober (0000-0003-1953-1197, German Institute for Economic Research), Pia Schober
Year2014
Volume48
Issue1
Pages38-58
Publication date2014-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0385 • E-ISSN: 1469-8684
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0038038512467710
OpenAlexW2162851674
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited52

This study examines how a mother being the main or an equal earner impacts the relationship stability of heterosexual couple parents, using the UK's Millennium Cohort Survey. Various theories alternatively predict that such couples experience a higher or lower risk of divorce than male-breadwinner couples. Alternatively the characteristics of these couples may predispose them to relatively higher or lower relationship stability than male-breadwinner couples. Using piecewise constant exponential event history models, we test these propositions between key stages in a child's life: baby, toddler, school entry and age seven. In some periods, a mother being the main or an equal earner is associated with a lower risk of relationship breakdown than for male-breadwinner couples, and more so within cohabiting than married couples. However, there is a strong tendency for couples to shift over time from mothers being main or equal earners to a male-breadwinner arrangement

Demographic economics · Developmental psychology · Economics · Life course approach · Sociology · Toddler · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology

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