Parental Divorce and Children's Socio-economic Success: Conditional Effects of Parental Resources Prior to Divorce, and Gender of the Child

Abstract

Both the level and allocation of pre-divorce parental and family resources may be impor tant predictors for the effects of divorce on child outcomes. This study estimates specific divorce effects on socio-economic outcomes of children in families having a different amount and allocation of both cultural and economic resources. In addition, this study tests whether general divorce effects differ between boys and girls. Data are used from the Family Sur vey Dutch Population 1998 (FSDP98) and the Family Sur vey Dutch Population 2000 (FSDP00) (De Graaf et al., 1998, 2000). The first conclusion was that a high level of paternal resources increases divorce effects on children's educational level and their occupational status. Moreover, a high level of maternal resources decreases the divorce effect. These findings suppor t the loss of resources theory. Finally, practically no differences in general divorce effects were found when boys and girls were compared.

Maternal Education, Divorce, and Changes in Economic Resources: Evidence from Germany

“…Other studies have reported the opposite pattern, indicating that children from disadvantaged families suffered less from divorce than their privileged counterparts (Bernardi & Radl, 2014;Fischer, 2007). This evidence supports the notion of "divorce as an equalizer."…”

“…Previous research on heterogeneous effects of divorce has almost exclusively focused on child outcomes (Augustine, 2014;Bernardi & Radl, 2014;Grätz, 2015;Fischer, 2007;Mandemakers & Kalmijn, 2014). Yet, these analysts have invoked contrasting assumptions about changes occurring at the parental level.…”

“…This expanding line of investigation is guided by the idea that divorce-related changes in the resources of parents -particularly of mothers -mediate the effects of divorce on children. To test this proposition, studies have examined whether divorce is more consequential for children of parents in higher or lower social positions (Augustine, 2014;Bernardi & Radl, 2014;Grätz, 2015;Fischer, 2007;Mandemakers & Kalmijn, 2014).…”

Ajustamento da criança à separação ou divórcio dos pais

“…As dificuldades econômicas que surgem após a dissolução marital 27,28 parecem ter impacto significativo na redução dos níveis de bem-estar e sucesso acadêmico da criança 29,30 . As mudanças financeiras têm impacto direto, mas também indireto, sobre a criança.…”

“…ex. : viver em bairros com problemas), mudar de escola e ter menos oportunidades educacionais, interferindo na sua realização acadêmica 30,31 . Tendencialmente, os pais que ficam com a guarda sentem um acentuado declínio nos recursos econômicos disponíveis para responder às necessidades da família.…”