May 19, 2019:
Income decline after Divorce affects a Child’s Educational future in more than one ways.
A recent study in States has found the negative financial repercussions of divorce substantially deter many children from going to college.
The study, published in Sociological Science, concludes that a decline in family income because of divorce results in “one- to two-thirds” of the negative effect divorce has on educational outcomes for white children.
Other things like social, behavioral & thinking skills have minimal impact on a child’s future education when compared to the role of income change after a divorce, it finds.
While this research reinforces the realities of the socioeconomic influence on educational opportunity in the U.S., it also raises questions about the causes of this post-divorce income change & whether families can do anything about it.
Unstable employment is the source of divorce’s financial aftermath for some families, and it is also the cause of divorce itself, suggests data from Harvard sociology professor Alexandra Killewald.
Killewald finds that a man having an unstable job increases the likelihood his marriage will end in divorce because it challenges the “norm of male breadwinning.” According to Killewald, a man’s job instability is a larger factor than a family’s overall income, a woman’s ability to support herself financially after a divorce or the way a couple divides household responsibilities.
“(W)hile wives can balance paid & unpaid work in a variety of ways without threatening marital stability, anything other than full-time employment for husbands is associated with an increased risk of divorce.”
Some post-divorce income decrease is the result of a spouse’s unawareness of a family’s financial situation and responsibilities.
Certified divorce financial analyst Laurie Itkin writes in Forbes that many women only discover the “nasty surprise” of health insurance costs, credit card debt or home equity once they are divorcing or divorced. While some women cede the responsibility of this information to spouses during marriage, Itkin says this practice has financial consequences if the marriage ends.
“(A)fter a divorce, women must take responsibility for all household functions including earning money, saving & investing … and paying bills. By sharing responsibility for all these functions while married, women will have a better shot at maintaining the same financial standard of living after divorce.”
Divorce can also impact credit scores. Although divorce itself doesn’t cause credit dings, creditors — who are not required to honor divorce decrees — do. A judge’s rulings can help a formerly married couple attempt to disentangle its finances by delineating which spouse will pay what.
" Some post-divorce income decrease is the result of a spouse’s unawareness of a family’s financial situation & responsibilities. "
However, as Michelle Black writes for Bankrate, “If a judge orders your ex to pay a joint credit obligation, but he or she fails to do so, your personal credit could suffer.” Black also notes that for women, divorce can be particularly financially difficult because of the gender gap in earnings.
Around 50 percent of divorced women also reported an ex-spouse’s intentional credit damage according to an Experian survey, with 54 percent saying their credit score declined during their marriage.
Because the study's authors find that income for many nonwhite families "may have already been below the threshold (for) investment in higher education prior to divorce," it becomes important for all divorcing spouses to consider the financial situation they're creating for their children.
One initial step is to reconcile the inevitability of child support & alimony. Bari Weinberger, family-law attorney, told The Atlantic that while some parents simply cannot afford the required payments, others won’t accept them:
“(A)limony & child support don’t always flow from ex-husband to ex-wife. Many men fear they’ll be ridiculed when others find out they’re receiving money from their exes. … Some would rather forgo their monthly stipends than swallow their pride, even if they are the stay-at-home parent bringing in no income.”
Another financial consideration after divorce is the need to retrain in smart money practices, no matter one’s income during marriage.
“It can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing to re-learn core money management skills,” Ladders reports. However, “(s)haring tasks in a marriage, & then having to handle all responsibilities alone, virtually guarantees that both parties will have to learn new skills.”
Scenario in India
The adverse psychological effects of divorce in India diminish a child’s interest in education. Children who experience the divorce of their parents show a drastic drop in their school grades.
It can significantly impede a child’s ability to learn at school and college. A stunted progress in education hampers career prospects of the child as an adult, which make it difficult to have a decent socio-economic status.
Divorce can take a toll on the children’s mental and physical health in all Cultures, but sometimes, separated parents are far better than quarreling parents. Don’t be surprised.
Steps to make co-parenting easier for Kids
- Never force your child to choose a side when there is a conflict or disagreement between the two of you.
- Do not allow your child to speak disrespectfully about/to your ex.
- Discuss your rights and responsibilities regarding your child’s visitation schedule, education, medical concerns, finances and so forth.
- Reach an agreement on discipline and behavioural guidelines for your child. This will help maintain consistency in your little one’s life.
- Communicate effectively about all aspects of your child’s development.
- Special days such as festivals and birthdays pose a problem when you are separated. Divide these occasions between the two of you.
India has only 1 per cent Divorce Rate
In India, luckily the Divorce rate is less than 1 per cent. Out of 1000 marriages, only 13 result in divorce.
Among other Nations Spain has 65%, France 55% and Russia 51%. USA has 46% Divorce Rate.
The low divorce rate owes upto the society pressure, arranged marriages usually take place over months between two families and not individuals. If someone asks for divorce, they're usually shamed for going against the rules and parents.
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