ERIC Number: ED301379
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1987-Oct
Pages: 37
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Family Equity at Issue: A Study of the Economic Consequences of Divorce on Women and Children.
Baker, Barbara
Implemented in the 1970s, Alaska's system of "no fault" divorce creates economic hardships for women and children instead of providing greater family equity. The study site selected was Anchorage because its demographic profile generally reflects the statewide profile, necessary court records are accessible and more than one-half of all Alaskan divorces occur there. Interviews with 139 randomly selected men and women divorced in 1984-85 focused on economic decisions made at the point of divorce and economic outcomes over a year later. Respondents differed from the general population in that they were older and wealthier, and 67% were college graduates. About half the subjects had used the dissolution or "do it yourself" divorce procedure. After divorce, per capita income fell 33% for divorced women and their children, but rose 17% for divorced men. Although traditional divorce settlements seemingly divided marital property evenly, little attention was given to valuable career assets, such as pensions, which were usually retained entirely by husbands. Only 10% of settlements awarded alimony, and then only for a limited time. Mothers received sole custody of children in 58% of cases; 19% involved joint custody. Child support was awarded in 80% of divorces with minor children, but the average monthly payment of $191 per child fell below welfare eligibility standards, and only 23% of awards included cost of living increments. Only 58% of child support recipients received 29% of itemized marital property, and child support awards were 27% lower than in traditional cases. The paper includes 13 statistical tables and an appendix outlining the research methodology used. 7 references. (SV)
Descriptors: Child Custody, Child Welfare, Children, Divorce, Economic Status, Family Financial Resources, Females, Income, Interviews
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Alaska Women's Commission, Anchorage.
Identifiers - Location: Alaska
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A