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Economic Consequences of Union Dissolution in Italy: Findings from the European Community Household Panel

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  • Fausta Ongaro

    (University of Padova)

  • Stefano Mazzuco

    (University of Padova)

  • Silvia Meggiolaro

    (University of Padova)

Abstract

Union dissolution is a constantly increasing phenomenon across Europe—even in Italy where the prevalence of divorce has always been among the lowest. This poses several questions on the potential consequences of such an event on the families involved. Many studies show that women usually experience the worst financial consequences, although there are few analyses on Italy, given the relatively low levels of union instability. In this work we study the impact of separation on the economic well-being of men and women using data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP), analyzed using both objective and subjective measures. By means of a matching method, we also estimate the effect of union dissolution, taking account of possible variations according to the different living arrangements adopted by ex-partners after separation. Results confirm that women experience worse economic distress than men. However, there is also a significant drop in economic well-being among non-custodial fathers who live alone after separation. In addition, it is found that income-based measures do not encapsulate all the dimensions of well-being, and therefore need to be complemented with other measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Fausta Ongaro & Stefano Mazzuco & Silvia Meggiolaro, 2009. "Economic Consequences of Union Dissolution in Italy: Findings from the European Community Household Panel," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 25(1), pages 45-65, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:25:y:2009:i:1:d:10.1007_s10680-008-9157-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-008-9157-7
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    1. Luca Zanin, 2017. "The effects of various motives to save money on the propensity of Italian households to allocate an unexpected inheritance towards consumption," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 1755-1775, July.
    2. Francesca Fiori, 2019. "Who leaves, who stays? Gendered routes out of the family home following union dissolution in Italy," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 40(20), pages 533-560.
    3. Marisa Bucheli & Andrea Vigorito, 2017. "Separation, Child Support and Well-Being in Uruguay," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 0317, Department of Economics - dECON.
    4. Glenn Sandström & Lena Karlsson, 2019. "The educational gradient of living alone: A comparison among the working-age population in Europe," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 40(55), pages 1645-1670.
    5. Marcantonio Caltabiano & Emanuela Dreassi & Emilia Rocco & Daniele Vignoli, 2017. "A subregional space-time exploration of family change: Italian municipalities, 1991-2011," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2017_03, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".
    6. Juliet Stone & Ann Berrington & Jane Falkingham, 2014. "Gender, Turning Points, and Boomerangs: Returning Home in Young Adulthood in Great Britain," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 51(1), pages 257-276, February.
    7. Katya Ivanova & Matthijs Kalmijn & Wilfred Uunk, 2013. "The Effect of Children on Men’s and Women’s Chances of Re-partnering in a European Context [L’impact des enfants sur les chances d’une nouvelle union pour les hommes et pour les femmes dans un cont," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 29(4), pages 417-444, November.
    8. Carole Bonnet & Bertrand Garbinti & Anne Solaz, 2021. "The flip side of marital specialization: the gendered effect of divorce on living standards and labor supply," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 34(2), pages 515-573, April.
    9. Anat Herbst-Debby, 2023. "What’s Your Pension Story? Women’s Perspectives during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Their Old-Age Pension Status, Past and Present," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-20, May.
    10. Bucheli, Marisa & Vigorito, Andrea, 2019. "Union dissolution and well-being in Uruguay," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 61-71.
    11. Raffaele Guetto & Francesca Zanasi & Maria Carella, 2022. "Non-intact Families and Children’s Educational Outcomes: Comparing Native and Migrant Pupils," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(5), pages 1065-1094, December.
    12. Daniela Bellani & Luis Ortiz-Gervasi, 2022. "Parental time preferences and educational choices: The role of children’s gender and of social origin," Rationality and Society, , vol. 34(1), pages 96-125, February.
    13. Ellen Verbakel, 2012. "Subjective Well-Being by Partnership Status and Its Dependence on the Normative Climate [Impact du contexte normatif sur le bien-être subjectif par statut d’union]," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 28(2), pages 205-232, May.

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