Mothers bear the greatest financial burden after separation – but equality can make a difference
The way work and care are divided in a relationship affects how hard women are hit financially when they separate. A new study in PNAS shows that more equal relationships, in both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, reduce financial losses, but this advantage disappears when caregiving responsibilities fall on one person, usually the one who gave birth.
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A new study based on Finnish register data shows that women in same-sex relationships lose less income on average following a separation than women in opposite-sex relationships. An important explanation is that work and domestic responsibilities are more often shared equally between two women.
"It's not just gender that determines women's financial situation after a separation, but also who takes on the main responsibility for care," says Maaike van der Vleuten, researcher at NIDI at the University of Groningen and the Swedish Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University.
More equal relationships – smaller financial losses
Women in same-sex couples are, on average, less financially affected by separation. One explanation is that these relationships tend to have a more equal distribution of both paid work and unpaid care work. When responsibilities are shared more equally during the relationship, financial vulnerability is reduced if the couple separates. But this advantage is not guaranteed in all situations.
Parenthood changes the picture
The differences become more pronounced when the couple has children. In opposite-sex relationships, mothers are significantly harder hit financially than women without children. In same-sex relationships, the difference is small, suggesting that a more equal distribution of work and care can soften the financial impact of having children.
The birth parent is most affected
The single most important factor is who gave birth to the child. Regardless of relationship type, the birth mother loses the most income after separation. This is partly because the children most often remain in her care, which means more caregiving responsibilities and therefore fewer opportunities to work. When caregiving responsibilities are concentrated with one parent, the financial advantage otherwise found in more equal relationships disappears.
Shared responsibility reduces inequality
When caregiving responsibilities and children's residence are shared more equally between parents, financial losses decrease.
“The findings point to the importance of structures and policies that support a more equal distribution of work and care, both during the relationship and after separation,” says Maaike van der Vleuten.
About the study
The study is based on register data from Finland and includes over 68,000 women who separated between 2002 and 2020. By comparing same-sex and opposite-sex relationships, the study sheds light on how different family structures affect economic inequality. Read the full text in PNAS:
Contakt
Maaike van der Vleuten, associate researcher, Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University
maaike.vandervleuten@sofi.su.se
Last updated: 2026-05-06
Source: Swedish Institute for Social Research