Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/328223 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 18093
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We show that separation has been a relevant outcome of American relationships over the last century and that separated women have worse economic outcomes than those divorced. A transferable-utility model of marriage, separation and divorce indicates that the welfare effects of divorce legislation depend on considering separation as an alternative. Empirically, the adoption of unilateral divorce laws reduced separation and increased divorce, particularly among low-educated women. A calibrated model indicates heterogeneous welfare effects of unilateral divorce with gains being concentrated among women with lower education. Desertion laws with very short duration generate similar gains for women.
Subjects: 
marriage
divorce
separation
female welfare
gender gaps
JEL: 
J12
J11
N32
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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