Effect of Labor Division between Wife and Husband on the Risk of Divorce: Evidence from German Data

33 Pages Posted: 29 Oct 2009

See all articles by Kornelius Kraft

Kornelius Kraft

University of Dortmund - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Stefanie Neimann

Technical University of Dortmund

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Date Written: October, 27 2009

Abstract

Using German panel data from 1984 to 2007, we analyze the impact of labor division between husband and wife on the risk of divorce. Gary Becker's theory of marriage predicts that specialization in domestic and market work, respectively, reduces the risk of separation. Traditionally, the breadwinner role is assigned to the husband, however, female labor force participation and their wages have risen substantially. Our results suggest that there are gender-specific differences, e.g. female breadwinner-couples have a substantially higher risk of divorce than male breadwinner-couples. In contrast, the equal division does not significantly alter the probability of separation.

Keywords: Divorce, Labor Division, Germany

JEL Classification: J12, J22

Suggested Citation

Kraft, Kornelius and Neimann, Stefanie, Effect of Labor Division between Wife and Husband on the Risk of Divorce: Evidence from German Data (October, 27 2009). SOEPpaper No. 223, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1494996 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1494996

Kornelius Kraft (Contact Author)

University of Dortmund - Department of Economics ( email )

D-44221 Dortmund
Germany
+49 231 755-3152 (Phone)
+49 231 755-3155 (Fax)

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Stefanie Neimann

Technical University of Dortmund ( email )

Emil-Figge-Straße 50
Dortmund, 44227
Germany

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