A recent study shed some interesting light on the relationship between employment status and divorce. Researchers found that whether women are employed or unemployed has very little impact on whether they stay married or seek a divorce.
However, men who are unemployed are both more likely to be left and more likely to end a marriage. This could affect countless couples across the country as a lagging economy means many people are still out of work.
In most places it is acceptable for women to choose whether they want to work full time, part time or not at all, depending on how they want to balance work and family life. Men, however, do not enjoy that flexibility – it is still unusual for a man not to be the main breadwinner in his family. This can lead to marital strain, and potentially to divorce.
Should one spouse’s unemployment eventually lead to a separation or divorce, it may also have an effect on matters of child custody and visitation. Courts look at a number of factors when assigning custody and parenting time, all of which are meant to help them make an arrangement that is in the best interest of the child(ren).
Among those factors is each parent’s economic and employment situation. If one parent is struggling financially and unemployed, the other may be more likely to get custody of the child(ren). Economic stability, in the eyes of the court, may contribute to the overall stability that the child(ren) needs.
If you are considering divorce or engaged in a dispute over child custody, it is important to have someone on your side who can fight to protect your interests. Consider enlisting the help of an experienced family law attorney who can pursue the best outcome for you and your loved ones.
Source: USA Today, “Money Quick Tips: Job loss and marriage,” Regina Lewis, Jan. 26, 2013