Marital Dissolution and Gendered Socioeconomic Trajectories in Korea: Household Income, Housing Tenure, and Working Status

Marital dissolution represents a significant turning point in an individual’s life course, impacting both psychological well-being and socioeconomic status. Post-marital dissolution, individuals typically experience a reduction in household income and must navigate changes in housing tenure, often resulting in a downward social mobility. This study aims to estimate the gendered socioeconomic trajectories following marital dissolution in Korea, with a particular focus on housing tenure, household income, and employment status. Using data from Waves 1 to 18 of the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KoWePS), we conducted longitudinal analyses to examine how socioeconomic conditions change over time, both prior to and following marital dissolution. The results revealed that women face sharper declines in income and are more likely than men to transition into rental housing and enter the workforce following marital dissolution. These findings highlight the influence of cultural norms and labor market conditions on the post-marital socioeconomic outcomes of men and women. The study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the intersection between gender and socioeconomic status in the context of marital dissolution, with implications for policy interventions aimed at reducing gender disparities.