Have you ever wondered how the housing market is shaping our most personal life choices?

In today’s show Simon Küstenmacher and I explore fascinating new Australian research that reveals how rising property costs are affecting relationship dynamics, marriage stability, and even divorce rates.

We discuss how soaring house prices may be locking individuals into unhappy marriages due to financial constraints, the trends in divorce rates, and the economic factors influencing marriage decisions.

 

The conversation also touches on mental health implications, gender dynamics in marriage and divorce, and the broader societal impacts of housing economics on family structures.

 

The episode concludes with reflections on the future trends in demographics and the ongoing influence of housing on personal relationships.

 

Takeaways 

 

·         Soaring house prices might be locking people into marriages.

·         Housing markets are reshaping family dynamics, not the other way around.

·         Divorce costs are just too high, influencing marital decisions.

·         The rate of divorce in Australia is at its lowest level since 1976.

·         High house prices can keep couples together, even if unhappy.

·         People marry if they expect benefits from marriage to exceed costs.

·         The lower income partner is often disadvantaged in divorce situations.

·         Women are increasingly outperforming men in education and income.

·         Housing economics plays a significant role in family dynamics.

·         Housing is shaping our relationships and families in profound ways.

 

Chapters 

 

00:00 The Impact of Housing Prices on Relationships

02:52 Divorce Rates and Economic Pressures

05:05 Marriage Trends and Demographic Changes

07:29 Cultural Narratives and Relationship Dynamics

10:15 Financial Implications of Divorce

13:01 Renting vs. Homeownership in Relationship Breakdowns

15:44 Mental Health and Relationship Satisfaction

18:26 Gender Dynamics in Marriage and Divorce

20:53 The Broader Implications of Housing Economics

Links:

The article mentioned in our show: Soaring house prices locking people into marriages

 https://theconversation.com/soaring-house-prices-may-be-locking-people-into-marriages-new-research-shows-260086

 

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