Objective. Changes in labor force participation and returns may have lessen
ed divorce's traditionally severe economic consequences for women. Method.
We use recent data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSF
H) to analyze the economic well-being of women whose marriages ended betwee
n the first and second waves of data collection. Results. Comparing pre- an
d postmarital median per capita income shows that marital disruption now ha
s much more modest economic consequences for women than in years gone by. A
multivariate analysis suggests that their higher postdivorce incomes can b
e primarily attributed to labor force participation and human capital. Conc
lusions. These findings suggest better life chances for divorcees and their
children.