Repartnering after first union disruption

Abstract

Using data from the 1995 General Social Survey (N= 2,639), this study examines two competing repartnering choices made by Canadians after first union disruption: marriage or cohabitation. About 42% of women and 54% of men form a second union 5 years after union disruption, with cohabitation being the most prevalent choice. The timing of second union formation is more rapid among former cohabitors than among the divorced. Widowhood is an acute barrier to repartnering. Gender is the most crucial determinant in the repartnering process; men have a higher rate of second union formation than women. The hazard rate of second union formation also varies by age at union disruption, duration of the first union, prior fertility (for men only), education, employment, and religion.

The socioeconomic determinants of repartnering after divorce or separation in Belgium

“…Here, in contrast to existing literature (Poortman 2007;Wu and Schimmele 2005;Skew, Evans, and Gray 2009), results show that divorcees are more likely to repartner than former cohabiters are and these results are robust even when interaction effects are added. So we conclude that the fourth hypothesis has to be rejected.…”

“…Some recent studies have also explored, among other things, the socioeconomic determinants of repartnering. Employment reduces women's overall repartnering rate (remarriage as well as cohabitation) and men's entry into cohabitation (Wu and Schimmele 2005). Another study shows that the effect of occupational status is sensitive to a woman's age at separation.…”

“…Research shows that mothers are less likely to repartner than those who are not mothers, with varying effects according to the number and ages of children. Findings as regards men's likelihood of repartnering are more mixed (Coleman, Ganong, and Fine 2000;Poortman 2007;Wu and Schimmele 2005;de Graaf and Kalmijn 2003;Lampard and Peggs 1999;Sweeney 2002). Indicators about parenthood will be included in each model as control variables.…”

“…People who have previously been married have a lower likelihood of repartnering than those who have only cohabited (Poortman 2007;Wu and Schimmele 2005). Skew and colleagues (2009) added more detail to these findings.…”

“…Divorced parents are less likely to form a (married or cohabiting) relationship than divorcees without children (Bumpass, Sweet, and Castro-Martin 1990;Chiswick and Lehrer 1990). However, children have been shown to affect women's and men's likelihood of repartnering somewhat differently (Coleman, Ganong, and Fine 2000;Poortman 2007;Wu and Schimmele 2005;de Graaf and Kalmijn 2003;Ivanova, Kalmijn, and Uunk 2013;Beaujouan 2012;. Research shows that mothers are less likely to repartner than those who are not mothers, with varying effects according to the number and ages of children.…”