The Effect of Changing Financial Incentives on Repartnering
Anna Zhu's paper examines how a reduction in the financial resources available to lone parents affects repartnering. We exploit an Australian natural experiment that reduced the financial resources available to a subset of separating parents. Using biweekly administrative data capturing separations occurring among low and middle income couples, we show that the policy reform significantly increased the speed of repartnering for affected separating mothers. Reconciliation with a new partner drives this result. Complementary analysis of an annual panel survey demonstrates that repartnering impacts are also present over the six years post-separation. Together, these results demonstrate that one way that lone mothers respond to a reduction in financial resources available at the time of relationship breakdown is by repartnering more quickly.
About the presenter Anna Zhu
Anna Zhu is a research fellow at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research aims to identify or evaluate how social policy enables socially or economically disadvantaged persons towards greater participation in society and well-being. The research applies principles and methodological approaches from economics and applied econometrics to large administrative and survey-based data. Her current research focuses on the economic and social determinants of child development, the impacts of welfare and education policy design, and the economic consequences of housing and relationship instability.
Visitors are most welcome
The Seminar Series is free of charge. For further information please phone 9905 0733 or email che-enquiries@monash.edu.
Event Details
- Date:
- 16 August 2017 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- RB Scotton Room, Level 2, Building 75, Clayton Campus
- Categories:
- Health Economics
Description
Anna Zhu's paper examines how a reduction in the financial resources available to lone parents affects repartnering. We exploit an Australian natural experiment that reduced the financial resources available to a subset of separating parents. Using biweekly administrative data capturing separations occurring among low and middle income couples, we show that the policy reform significantly increased the speed of repartnering for affected separating mothers. Reconciliation with a new partner drives this result. Complementary analysis of an annual panel survey demonstrates that repartnering impacts are also present over the six years post-separation. Together, these results demonstrate that one way that lone mothers respond to a reduction in financial resources available at the time of relationship breakdown is by repartnering more quickly.
About the presenter Anna Zhu
Anna Zhu is a research fellow at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research aims to identify or evaluate how social policy enables socially or economically disadvantaged persons towards greater participation in society and well-being. The research applies principles and methodological approaches from economics and applied econometrics to large administrative and survey-based data. Her current research focuses on the economic and social determinants of child development, the impacts of welfare and education policy design, and the economic consequences of housing and relationship instability.
Visitors are most welcome
The Seminar Series is free of charge. For further information please phone 9905 0733 or email che-enquiries@monash.edu.
Event Contact
- Name
- che-enquiries@monash.edu
- Phone
- 9905 0733
- Organisation