Female Household Investment Strategy in Human and Non-Human Capital with the Risk of Divorce

Abstract

It is shown that a female investment strategy in human and non-human capital where a woman intends to take time out of the paid labour market for childcare is consistent with traditional gender roles in marriage. However, this is not the case in an environment of marital instability. As marital stability has decreased in recent years it should be expected that both gender roles and fcmale investment strategy should also have changed. Yet traditional gendcr roles appear to be more persistent than would be expected. A qualitative survey of decision- making in families undertaken in Exeter, England, appears to support this finding. One result of following traditional gender roles where the risk of marital instability is high is that women may become vulnerable and suffer considerably in economic terms following separation or divorce. This may imply scope for radical reform of marriage and divorce and also bettcr strategies for female investment in human and non-human capital.