1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This article investigated the question of whether and how partners’ relative income affects the risk of union dissolution. [The study contrasts] two cultural and institutional contexts (Quebec and the rest of Canada).» (p. 537)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«To investigate the role of relative income in conjugal instability, [authors] used linked data from the 2011 Canadian General Social Survey (GSS) and respondents’ annual tax records starting in 1982 (T1 Family Files, T1FF). The GSS is representative of all non-institutionalized Canadians aged 15+ years who did not reside in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.» (p. 528)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

Analysis reveals that the «lowest risk of dissolution was observed among couples whose incomes were similar. Overall, this general pattern held across regions, cohorts, and types of unions. [Authors] found that the same pattern also held among couples with children. […] Given the institutional differences and the different levels of institutionalization of cohabitation in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada, the small gap between these two regions is puzzling. [Authors] suggest that the lack of observed differences might be a consequence of their legal systems. The common law principles (typical of the Anglo-Saxon world) and the civil code (typical of continental Europe) might have consequences that go in the opposite direction than the cultural and social trends in these two regions. On one hand, cohabitation is a much more common and accepted arrangement in Quebec than outside this province. On the other hand, although marriage and cohabitation might be more similar in Quebec while ongoing, union dissolution has very different consequences for married and cohabiting couples. The civil code prohibits judges from amending private arrangements (‘contract’) existing between partners. In the absence of previous agreements, cohabiting partners are denied alimony and sharing of assets, no matter the duration of the union before separation. On the contrary, sharing of assets is mandatory between divorced spouses.» (p. 537-538)