Modern life for women in Illinois and around the country has created more career opportunities and raised expectations about the division of labor within marriages in the view of one sociology professor. An increased ability to earn money compared to earlier generations has granted many women the freedom to choose divorce instead of staying in unsatisfactory marriages. This has become evident in the fact that about 70% of divorces are initiated by women according to the American Sociological Association.
Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has documented that women make up about half of the workforce, they continue to perform the bulk of domestic duties compared to their husbands. Even among couples with both spouses working full-time, 49% of women did household chores every day whereas only 20% of men did. The inequality within the home among working partners can cause some women to seek divorce.
Successful women might also inspire dissatisfaction in their male partners. A study from 2019 found that men often feel upset when their wives earn more than them. This can translate into a lack of support for a woman’s career ambitions. When this happens, a woman might decide to free herself from a partner who wants to hold her back. Increasing financial independence among women has also reduced their capacity to tolerate bad behavior. As a result, acceptance of spousal infidelity in exchange for financial security has diminished.
Ending a marriage requires dividing marital assets so that both parties can go their separate ways. Advice from a family law attorney might inform a person about rights to certain assets, like retirement funds or real estate. Legal guidance may prepare a person to negotiate a fair divorce settlement and avoid giving up more than is necessary during the division of property.