DO SUCCESSFUL WOMEN EXPERIENCE A HIGHER RATE OF DIVORCE?

A joke often repeated among successful women is that the better you do at work, the more likely you are to get a divorce. The truth is, there is evidence to support this, but if you’re experiencing it, it’s no joke. Research by professor Johanna Rickne, recently published in the American Economic Journal, found that married women who were promoted to a CEO level were twice as likely to be divorced three years later than their male counterparts. And, the woman doesn’t have to be a CEO, it appears to happen across all levels of expertise.

A Shift in Roles May Contribute

Experts have studied why this phenomena happens to women, but almost never happens to men. One thought is that a promotion often causes a shift in roles in the marriage, for instance, it may mean the woman spends more time at the office or traveling for business, and less time at home. The husband may have to take on more domestic chores such as meal preparation or childcare duties. It can mean less time together as a family, not just at home, but socially as well. Stress and friction often happen after a division of economic and social roles.

Insurance for Staying Together

Rickne’s report shows that choosing a partner closer to your own age might increase the odds of staying together even after a promotion. Her research found that divorce was more likely if the wife receiving the promotion was much younger than her husband. Couples similar in age have a lower rate of divorce and seem to have a more egalitarian outlook on spousal roles. They are more able to fairly accept the conditions of the promotion and changes to the division of family responsibilities.

Mediation can be your insurance for staying together. If you’ve recently experienced a similar situation as described above, or you have other marriage issues you’d like to work on, our attorneys at A Fair Way Mediation are here to help. There is nothing contentious about mediation. Mediation is about securing a resolution that is amenable and fair to all parties involved. Complete our online request for a free online evaluation, or to receive a free 30-minute consultation visit us a www.afairway.com or call 760-227-5090 / 619-702-9174.