Layoff of Husband Key Reason to Divorces
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
Twenty-eight-year-old Yoon recently had a disturbing epiphany. She realized that it was an equity trader she loved, not so much her husband.
Her spouse of less than two years was laid off from his high-paying job based in Hong Kong five months ago, which was also when their marriage started going downhill.
``I always denied that his status was a factor that convinced me to marry,'' said Yoon, who was used to being showered with expensive gifts and treats, ``but the whole layoff experience shook my thinking.''
For weeks she experienced mild depression and grew resentful of her husband, the person she believed was responsible for supporting all her needs.
But Yoon said spiritual healing and motivation helped her emerge from the rut, realize her selfishness and take her husband's side.
Her story isn't unusual. Many other couples are said to be dealing with the layoff of a husband in a similar way.
``Women may come off as heartless, but such scenarios commonly occur in the early years of a layoff,'' said Park Yong-hyun, a professor at Seoul National University and the author of a thesis on the impact of layoffs on marriage.
The study was presented at a conference hosted by the Population Association of Korea Sunday.
Based on analyzing data compiled by the Korea Labor and Income Panel Study, he said chances are high that couples separate or take a break one or two years after the male spouse loses his job.
Park said a woman's layoff doesn't lead to a significant impact on divorce because they aren't traditionally considered the primary breadwinner.
But Park explained that if couples are able to pass the initial turbulent period, then their relationship grows stronger than before because a new level of trust is built.
Aside from the study on layoffs and divorce, the conference also introduced other findings related to the marital satisfaction of women, worsening figures reflecting elderly suicide, and the impact of children's education on household mobility and more.