The Contributing Factors to Divorced and Separated Mothers in Taiwan: A Test of the Economic Independence Hypothesis

This paper examines the contributing factors to the increase in the numbers of divorced and separated mothers in Taiwan since the end of 1980s. In particular, it tests the hypothesis of women’s economic independence. Data from the Survey of Family Income and Expenditures is used; women’s potential earnings are used as the measure of their economic independence. A probit model is employed to examine the effect of predicted earnings (economic independence) on the probability of being a divorced or separated mother. The findings indicate that the rapid increase in women’s education substantially raises their economic independence, and the increase in women’s economic independence and the decrease in the number of children contribute greatly to the increase in the numbers of divorced and separated mothers. These results suggest that economic independence not only enables women to be less dependent on marriage for economic security but also makes divorce and separation more affordable.