Men’s repartnering: the role of individual and partnership-level factors

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the long-term trends in men’s repartnering patterns in Lithuania and to identify the factors associated with the increased risk of repartnering in the recent divorce cohort of Lithuanian men. The study focuses on men who have under-aged children from a dissolved union. The theoretical background of the study is based on the needs, attractiveness and opportunity perspective (de Graaf & Kalmijn, 2003) and Divorce-Stress-Adjustment model (Amato 2000). The research uses the data sets of the “Generations and Gender Survey” (2006 and 2009) and “Fatherhood after Union Dissolution” (2016). We conclude that men’s repartnering level has been stable over the past four decades; however, in recent decades, the risk of repartnering is related to the first years after union dissolution. The study confirms a positive association between repartnering, socio-economic status and urban place of residence. We also found that previously married men had a higher risk to repartner compared to cohabitees. Processes of the previous union dissolution are also relevant in defining the chances of men’s repartnering.