Impact of financial and employment status on the co-parenting of divorcing couples in Israel

Abstract

The study examines the association between the financial and employment status of 71 Israeli couples in the process of divorce and their co-parenting, as measured by participation in their children’s lives, communication about their children, consideration for the other parent’s childcare needs, and inter-spousal tension and hostility. Its findings show that each parent’s self-reported financial status was associated with both their own and the other parents co-parenting. Most predominantly, its findings point to the differential effects financial status and employment have on divorcing mothers and fathers. These findings are discussed in relation to the ‘gender contract’ still prevalent among many parental units in Israel. Conclusions emphasizing the importance of relating to financial issues during the divorce process itself are presented, alongside their derivative implications for practitioners and policy makers.