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Australian women with good financial knowledge fare better in divorce

Author

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  • Tracey West
  • Elizabeth Mitchell

Abstract

Divorce dissolves couple households, who likely specialised in household financial decision-making tasks, into singles who need to learn new skills. Financial decisions will be particularly challenging for those newly separated people that are lacking knowledge and confidence. Given the substantive literature supporting the lack of financial knowledge of women in comparison to men, women are likely to be more disadvantaged by this aspect of divorce. We employ the HILDA Survey and find support for the role of financial literacy in improving wealth outcomes in divorce, particularly for women. We find that the positive impact is significant over the long term. This research contributes to knowledge of the role of financial education in building resilience to endure financial shocks. JEL classification: D14; G53; G50; J12; J16

Suggested Citation

  • Tracey West & Elizabeth Mitchell, 2022. "Australian women with good financial knowledge fare better in divorce," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 47(2), pages 203-224, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:47:y:2022:i:2:p:203-224
    DOI: 10.1177/03128962211022041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    divorce; financial decision-making; financial literacy; gender;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G53 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Financial Literacy
    • G50 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - General
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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