The dissolution of first unions and women’s economic activity in the UK

Abstract

This study investigates whether there is an association between economic activity in women and union dissolution in the UK. This study looks at both individual-level and aggregate-level trends by posing a number of research questions. Using a series of Cox Proportional Hazard and Piecewise Constant models to analyse individual-level data from the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society surveys, this study has found only weak and inconsistent evidence of an association between women’s economic activity and union dissolution. Examining these data for separate union cohorts, this study has found some initial evidence that the relationship between economic activity and union dissolution may be changing over time. The final stage of the analysis in this study looked at aggregate trends in economic activity and divorce and found some evidence of an association at the aggregate level, although due to data restrictions this was not conclusive. Following a discussion of the changing status of women and the changing legal, social and cultural context within which unions are formed and dissolved, this study concluded more evidence is found for an association at the aggregate level, leading to the hypothesis that economic activity is contributing to wider social changes and that these social changes are influencing the risk of union dissolution.

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ORCID for Andrew Hinde: orcid.org/0000-0002-8909-9152

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