Introduction Women and their money after divorce

Abstract

It is tempting to begin this account of women’s resources after divorce by saying that once upon a time, before the divorce epidemic of the 1960s, John Smith married Mary. He went to work and she stayed at home and cared for their two children until they grew up. Perhaps she also cared for elderly parents and did a little part-time work, but during their life together the financial responsibilities were John’s and the domestic responsibilities were Mary’s.