Examined how changes in family composition due to death of spouse, and subsequent remarriage, affected economic status. Found that death of spouse translated into substantial economic loss, especially for widows. Economic gains for both widows and widowers who remarried were generally large compared to those of persons who remained widowed for at…

Findings of this research indicate that it was the absolute amount of family income, not its sources, that had the most influence on both 1967 and 1972 net worth for the total sample. Wife's earnings may have made an important contribution to family net worth position. (CT)

Examines the economic hardship that divorce entails. Wives are usually awarded custody of children without commensurate financial help from fathers and face other impediments in the labor market to higher pay and adequate employment opportunities. Policies dealing with these problems often center on income transfers and enforcement of child…

Surveyed divorce settlements in Georgia and Washington during 1970 and 1980 to replicate Seal's study of no-fault divorce in California. Findings indicate few substantive changes. With no-fault divorce, alimony was rare, child custody was awarded to mothers, assets tended to be shared, and child support had not decreased. (Author/JAC)

Reviews two recent changes in divorce laws: the removal of misconduct as a ground for divorce and the removal of gender as a criterion for settlements. The consequence has been the deterioration of the economic well-being of divorced females. Courts should place explicit economic value on spouses' nonmonetary contributions. (JAC)

Develops empirically testable model applying Blumberg's general theory of gender stratification to the contemporary American heterosexual couple. Proposes a scheme for measuring marital economic power that incorporates "discount factors" at the macro and micro level which affect the overall economic power balance, resulting in "net economic…

Examined farm families with and without employed wife on economic and relationship status. Data from 1,067 farm spouses revealed that, compared to families with nonemployed wives, families with employed wives had higher debt loads, wives who worked longer hours in all production, wives who were less satisfied with marital relationship, and…

Young husbands and wives with children had less formal education and lower incomes than couples without children. Couples in both groups had total expenditures that exceeded their after-tax income. The economic status of young families with children varied depending on the wife's employment status and the number of children. (BC)

Adults living with unrelated adults of the opposite sex are contrasted with married couples living together. Couples living together without marriage are most likely to be residing in large metropolitan areas, and are characterized by relatively low income levels and high unemployment. The increase in adults living with an unrelated person of the…

Age at marriage, marital duration, religiosity and income have an effect on thinking about divorce independent of their effect on marital dissatisfaction. Wife's employment and the presence of preschool children are likely to lead to thoughts about divorce. (Author)

Estimated odds of mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression in 11,870 white men. Being younger, having lower income, and having alcohol problem significantly increased odds of either mild or severe physical aggression. Drug problem uniquely increased risk of severe physical aggression. Marital discord and depression further increased…

Increasingly, children are living with cohabiting parents. Prior work on the material well-being of children living in cohabiting families is extended by including the biological relationship of children to adults, examining the racial and ethnic variations, and investigating the multiple indicators of material well-being. We draw on the 1999…

Income levels and percentage change in 1971-1975 income were regressed on personal and institutional variables for husband and wife doctorates holding full-time academic positions. Composite results indicate, among other things, a negative relationship between income for one spouse and the perceived opportunities for employment of the other…

Traces the history of Muslim women from ancient times to the present. Discusses the practice of veiling and its significance. Compares the status of women before and after the Qur'an. Delineates the class differences between Muslim women. Analyzes Muslim women under Islamic law, concentrating on laws governing marriage, sex, and divorce. (RW)