Published on
updated on
Reading 2 min.
We knew the question of money was taboo even within the couple. But a new study from INED (National Institute of Demographic Studies) today highlights the existing link between income and the risk of separation. With one observation: income equality is not yet accepted by everyone.
Gone are the days when the man boiled the pot (and the woman took care of the house). Today (and this is fortunate!) women who obtain diplomas and work are the norm. There are also more and more women who earn as much, or even more, than men. Thus, in 2017, a quarter of couples of working age were in this configuration, compared to one in five in 2002. But does this societal progress have an effect on the duration of couples? Yes, according to a study carried out by INED (the National Institute of Demographic Studies) on data from the Permanent Demographic Sample (EDP) and published on September 30.
The risk of separation increases when the woman earns more
Thus, when the woman’s share of income exceeds 55% of the couple’s total income, the risk of separation increases significantly. These couples have an 11 to 40% higher risk of breakup (depending on the extent of the woman’s contribution) compared to couples whose income is equitably distributed. In short, the more the woman’s share of income increases, the more the couple is in the hot seat.
And this, whatever the age of the couples. The same risk of separation also appears among young couples, from generations who grew up with more egalitarian gender norms than those of previous generations.
Income does not strain all unions
But how do these income gaps influence each type of union? The study also asked the question and nuances appear in the different diagrams.
- Thus couples in a common-law union present a higher risk of separation than those married or in a civil partnership; a relatively equal sharing of income also seems to strengthen the stability of the union;
- Among civil partnership couples, the association between income gaps and the risk of separation is less marked;
- On the other hand, in married couples, stability is greater when the man is the main financial earner of the household.
Traditional norms persist
What do these observations tell us? That despite the efforts made to raise the standard of living of women, their access to employment and equal opportunities, France still today remains attached to the model of the “earner” man.
What remains is what the study does not say: are these separations due to income the fact of husbands being affected in their ego? Or women who can financially afford to leave home if it seems necessary to them? Probably a bit of both.
Slide: Romantic breakup: 8 signs that the couple is over