Women in Pennsylvania are often shocked to find that they may be responsible for paying alimony after divorce. In fact, according to MarketWatch, more women are paying alimony than ever before. In a recent survey, 45 percent of lawyers reported an increase in women paying for spousal support.
But, why? Traditionally, men were the breadwinners of the home. Women either gave up their careers to raise the family or would hold lower-paying and less-demanding jobs during the course of their marriage. As a result, in case of divorce, alimony provided financial maintenance, while the woman got back on her feet.
However, in modern times, many men are now in this position, as 40 percent of households have a female breadwinner at the head. In addition to this, a groundbreaking case in 1979 acknowledged the growing independence of women and made alimony a gender-neutral responsibility.
In spite of this, estimates say that men make up only 3 percent of alimony recipients. This may be because even when they are eligible, men may feel emasculated by accepting financial support from a woman. Many women may also fight the case and win, allowing them to hold on to their hard-earned money.
Aside from sheer shock at learning of this responsibility, one of the primary reasons that women fight these cases is abuse. Earning more money in a home does not equal more power for women, the way it often does for men. In many instances, men may still retain control and may use physical force or emotional manipulation to exert that force.
Many women may also fight the case due to infidelity on the part of their soon-to-be ex-husbands. However, as is also the case when women are the recipients, alimony may still be due even if the receiving party was unfaithful.
Not surprisingly, according to Money.com, women are now the driving force behind alimony reform. Some women would like to see an end to the permanency of the judgements allowed in some states, while others are working to have the system abolished for good.