Renegotiating Roles Postdivorce: A Decisive Break From Tradition?

Abstract

On the basis of a qualitative study of 27 separated and divorced parents, this article seeks to examine the extent of shift toward more egalitarian and democratic intimate relationships between men and women by looking at postdivorce and separation relationships. The article uses the division of labor in single- and dual-earning couples, to map the role division in responsibilities postseparation. The findings suggest that the renegotiation of family practices postseparation is heavily influenced by the gender roles practiced during the marriage. The article draws attention to some of the grave consequences of leaving out discussion of structural aspects of societies and personal relationships, for the people themselves and our understanding of changing family practices.

Keywords:

• democratic relationships
• division of labor
• divorce
• gender roles
• separation
• structure and agency

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank her supervisor, Dr. Evelyn Mahon at Trinity College Dublin, for the support she received during her doctoral studies on which this article is based. In addition, the author would like to thank the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences who provided financial support for two years of the thesis and to the University of Dublin, Trinity College, which provided a studentship for two years. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences.