Keywords
divorce, economic consequences, government, marriage, reconciliation
Abstract
Although many adults and children are resilient after divorce, it is common for marital breakups to precipitate the need for government assistance for families who had been self-sufficient. This study focuses on the economic costs of divorce associated with means-tested welfare programs in Texas, which fall into five central areas: medical assistance; cash assistance; food assistance; housing, energy, and utility assistance; and child care and development assistance. The study estimated that Texas spends at least $3.18 billion on divorce and its related consequences each year, accounting for approximately 12% of the total Texas budget in 2008. These results reinforce the notion that family actions often have public consequences. Policy implications related to services aimed at strengthening healthy marriage and decreasing “preventable” divorce via reconciliation services are offered.
Original Publication Citation
Schramm, D., Harris, S. M., Whiting, J. B., Hawkins, A., Porter, R. D. & Brown*, M. D. (2013). Counting the economic cost of divorce: A Texas case study. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 54. 1-24, DOI: 10.1080/10502556.2012.725354
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Schramm, David G.; Harris, Steven M.; Whiting, Jason B. PhD; Hawkins, Alan J.; Brown, Matt; and Porter, Rob, "Counting the Economic Costs and Policy Implications Associated With Divorce: Texas as a Case Study" (2013). Faculty Publications. 2167.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/2167
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2013-01-08
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5066
Publisher
Journal of Divorce & Remarriage
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Family Life
Copyright Status
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/