Hostname: page-component-76d6cb85b7-2r2wp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-07-15T22:24:06.063Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Fear of relationship dissolution: The influence of gendered post-breakup life course expectations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2026

Kai A. Konrad Open the ORCID record for Kai A. Konrad [Opens in a new window]
Kai A. Konrad*
Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance, Munich, Germany kai.konrad@tax.mpg.de https://www.tax.mpg.de/en/public_economics/public_economics_people/prof_dr_kai_a_konrad
*
*Corresponding author.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Differences in well-being in the life trajectories following the end of a relationship can be co-determinants of gender-specific differences in the fear of losing a relationship. Social norms, conventions, and institutional arrangements can lead to gender-specific consequences for economic well-being when a relationship ends. If these are anticipated, they can cause differences in this fear of loss.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e108
Check for updates
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Avellar, S., & Smock, P.J. (2005). The economic consequences of the dissolution of cohabiting unions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(2), 315–327.10.1111/j.0022-2445.2005.00118.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bronsert, A. K., Glazer, A., & Konrad, K.A. (2017). Old money, the nouveaux riches and Brunhilde’s marriage strategy. Journal of Population Economics, 30(1), 163–186.10.1007/s00148-016-0610-3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burdett, K., & Coles, M. G. (1997). Marriage and class. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 112(1), 141–168.10.1162/003355397555154CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cremer, H., Pestieau, P., & Roeder, K. (2015). United but (un)equal: Human capital, probability of divorce, and the marriage contract. Journal of Population Economics, 28(1), 195–217.10.1007/s00148-014-0504-1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
James, S. (1996). Female household investment strategy in human and non-human capital with the risk of divorce. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 25(1–2), 151–197.10.1300/J087v25n01_10CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hitsch, G. J., Hortacsu, A., & Ariely, D. (2010). Matching and sorting in online dating. American Economic Review, 100(1), 130–63.10.1257/aer.100.1.130CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hobbs, M., Owen, S., & Gerber, L. (2016). Liquid love? Dating apps, sex, relationships and the digital transformation of intimacy. Journal of Sociology, 53(2), 271–284.10.1177/1440783316662718CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hofmann, D., & Qari, S. (2011) The law of attraction bilateral search and horizontal heterogeneity. No. 2011-017. SFB 649 Discussion Paper, 2011.Google Scholar
Konrad, K. A. (2015). Affection, speed dating and heartbreaking. Journal of Population Economics, 28(1), 159–172.10.1007/s00148-013-0489-1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Konrad, K. A., & Lommerud, K.E. (2010). Love and taxes–and matching institutions. Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d’économique, 43(3), 919–940.10.1111/j.1540-5982.2010.01600.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leopold, T. (2018). Gender differences in the consequences of divorce: A study of multiple outcomes. Demography, 55(3), 769–797.10.1007/s13524-018-0667-6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ng, Y.-K. (1987). Diamonds are a government’s best friend. American Economic Review, 77(1), 186–191.Google Scholar
Oldham, J. T. (2008). Changes in the economic consequences of divorces, 1958–2008. Family Law Quarterly, 42(3), 419–447.Google Scholar
Ottakkam Thodukayil, F.S., Palaniswamy, U. & Kunjumon, A. (2025): The causes of divorce and its effects on women: A systematic review. Marriage & Family Review, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2025.2484781.Google Scholar
Smith, J. (2003). The law and economics of marriage contracts. Journal of Economic Surveys, 17(2), 201–215.10.1111/1467-6419.00193CrossRefGoogle Scholar