Implications of Feminist Scholarship for the Study of Women's Postdivorce Economic Disadvantage

Abstract

The authors argue that incorporation of feminist theoretical perspectives will advance understanding of the dynamics of women's postdivorce economic disadvantage. After developing a working understanding of three central elements of feminist family theory, we briefly review the existing research on women's postdivorce economic status. We then explore the implications of challenging monolithic conceptualizations of the family, of elevating gender to a central category of analysis, and of expanding conceptualizations of women to include both victimization and agency for such research. Finally, suggestions for future research, refinements in family theory, and policy and practice are specified. Over the last two decades, mounting evidence has pointed to the economic deprivation in singleparent households headed by women. For example, Furstenberg and Cherlin (1991) reported that 45% of all femaleheaded families with children under 18 live in poverty. Researchers who have followed families over time have found that periods of poverty often begin just after divorce. Moreover, although divorce may not result in poverty for all women, it often locks them into economic disadvantage for indefinite periods (e.g., Burkhauser & Duncan, 1989; Duncan & Hoffman, 1985; Finnie, 1993; Furstenberg & Cherlin, 1991; Stirling, 1989; Weiss, 1984). Public concern over this serious social problem has led researchers to document and describe the economic distress that women experience following divorce. To date, the study of women's economic decline after divorce primarily has focused on (a) the extent of the problem, both in terms of the number of women affected and the degree of economic change (Corcoran, 1979; Day & Bahr, 1986; Duncan & Hoffman, 1985; Finnie, 1993; Hoffman, 1977; Hoffman & Duncan, 1988; Morgan, 1989; Smock, 1992; Stirling, 1989; Weiss, 1984); (b) the impact of divorce legislation on women's postdivorce economic disadvantage (Baker, 1987; McLindon, 1987; Rowe & Morrow, 1988; Weitzman, 1985; Wishik, 1986); (c) the correlates of women's postdivorce economic status (Choi, 1992; Folk, Graham, & Beller, 1992; Hill, 1992; Mauldin, 1990; Morgan, 1991); and (d) the relationship between economic status and postdivorce socioemotional adjustment (Clarke-Stewart & Bailey, 1989; Colburn, Lin, & Moore, 1992; Gander, 1991; Hayes & Anderson, 1993). Concern over women's disadvantaged economic position has led feminist scholars to focus attention on women's economic vulnerability in a variety of contexts, tracing it in many instances to women's dependence on the male provider (Okin, 1989; Sorensen & McLanahan, 1987; Thompson & Walker, 1989; Thorne, 1982). Feminist theoretical perspectives also have focused increased attention on the full range of women's family experiences. In particular, feminist scholars have problematized gender by exploring the possibility that gender-based organization in families is, in itself, problematic. Thus, feminists have recast the family as a system of gender-stratification (Chafetz, 1988; Ferree, 1990; Thorne, 1992; Zinn, 1990). However, feminist theoretical perspectives have not yet been effectively applied to the study of women's economic status following divorce. In this article, we argue that incorporation of feminist theoretical perspectives will advance understanding of the dynamics of women's postdivorce economic distress, as well as the ability to effect changes needed to create a more equitable society for women, men, and children. We first develop a working understanding of three central elements of feminist family theory. Then, after a brief overview in which we review the existing research on women's postdivorce economic status, we focus on several of these studies in greater detail and explore the direct implications of feminist theorizing for such research. Finally, utilizing lessons learned from this analysis, we discuss the implications that incorporation of feminist theoretical principles have for a future research agenda, refinements in family theory, and policy and practice. …