Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Recoupling Transitions in the Empty Nest: Women’s Perspective

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Reconfiguring Relations in the Empty Nest

Part of the book series: Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life ((PSFL))

  • 34 Accesses

Abstract

Applying the framework of life course studies, this chapter examines families that have experienced separation, divorce, or the death of one partner before the transition to an empty nest. The aim of this chapter is to explore how the departure of children impacts the potential reconfigurations of women’s intimate lives after ending their relationship with the child’s father. Despite existing models to study this transition, postdivorce repartnering, as a continuous process of family formation, remains relatively unexplored.

Through analyzing 14 stories of Polish women and 17 stories of French women, and referencing the Anderson & Green model, the study concludes that the empty nest represents a significant turning point in mothers’ private lives. It brings about changes in their personal commitments and provides an opportunity for self-reflection. Some mothers begin new romantic relationships that were previously forbidden to them, while others develop hidden living apart together (LAT) arrangements, engage in love affairs, or form informal relationships. These newfound relationships take on a new character, facilitated by greater independence from obligations to their children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aeby, G., & Gauthier, J.-A. (2021). The contribution of the life-course perspective to the study of family relationships: Advances, challenges, and limitations. In A. M. Castrén, V. Cesnuityte, I. Crespi, J. A. Gauthier, R. Gouveia, C. Martin, M. A. Moreno, & K. Suwada (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of family sociology in Europe (pp. 557–574). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: Continuing trends and new developments. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 650–666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amato, P. R., Booth, A., Johnson, D. R., & Stacy, J. R. (2007). Alone together: How marriage in America is changing. Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, E. R., & Greene, S. M. (2005). Transitions in parental repartnering after divorce. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 43(3–4), 47–62. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v43n03_03

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaujouan, E. (2009). Trajectoires conjugales et fécondes des hommes et des femmes après une rupture en France [Thèse pour l’obtention du diplôme de Doctorat en Démographie, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne-Paris I]. Université Panthéon-Sorbonne-Paris I. Retrieved from https://www.theses.fr/2009PA010611

  • Bellamy, V. (2016). 123 500 divorces en 2014 Des divorces en légère baisse depuis 2010. Insee. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2121566

  • Boguszewski, R. (2019). Rozwody w osobistych doświadczeniach Polaków. CBOS. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.cbos.pl/

  • Burkart, G., & Kohli, M. (1992). Liebe, Ehe, Elternschaft. Die Zukunft der Familie. R. Piper GmbH & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carranza, L. V., Kilmann, P. R., & Vendemia, J. M. C. (2009). Links between parent characteristics and attachment variables for college students of parental divorce. Adolescence, 44, 253–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooney, T. M. (2022). Introduction to special issue on “divorce and the life course”. Social Sciences, 11(202), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11050202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, K. (2001). Late life widowhood, selfishness and new partnership choices: A gendered perspective. Ageing & Society, 21(3), 297–317. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X01008169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Graaf, P. M., & Kalmijn, M. (2003). Alternative routes in the remarriage market: Competing-risk analyses of union formation after divorce. Social Forces, 81, 1459–1498.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Jong Gierveld, J. (2004). Remarriage, unmarried cohabitation, living apart together: Partner relationships following bereavement or divorce. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(1), 236–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.00015.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Jong Gierveld, J., & Merz, E.-M. (2013). Parents’ partnership decision making after divorce or widowhood: The role of (step)children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 75(5), 1098–1113. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Singly, F. (2000). Libres ensemble. L’individualisme dans la vie commune. Nathan.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Singly, F. (2021). The family of individuals: An overview of the sociology of the family in Europe, 130 years after Durkheim’s first university course. In A. M. Castrén, V. Cesnuityte, I. Crespi, J. A. Gauthier, R. Gouveia, C. Martin, M. Moreno Mínguez, & K. Suwada (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of family sociology in Europe (pp. 15–43). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demographic Yearbook. (2020). UNSD. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/products/dyb/dybsets/2020.pdf

  • Dewilde, C. (2003). A life-course perspective on social exclusion and poverty. The British Journal of Sociology, 54(1), 109–128. https://doi.org/10.1080/0007131032000045923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, S., & Phillips, M. (2010). People who live apart together (LATs) – How different are they? The Sociological Review, 58(1), 112–134. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.2009.01874.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H., Jr. (1995). The life course paradigm: Social change and individual development. In P. Moen, G. H. Elder, & K. Luscher (Eds.), Examining lives in context: Perspectives on the ecology of human development (pp. 101–139). American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ermisch, J., & Siedler, T. (2008). Living apart together. In M. Brynin & J. Ermisch (Eds.), Changing relationships (pp. 29–43). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flaquer, L. (2021). Shared parenting after separation and divorce in Europe in the context of the second demographic transition. In A. M. Castrén, V. Cesnuityte, I. Crespi, J. A. Gauthier, R. Gouveia, C. Martin, M. Moreno Mínguez, & K. Suwada (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of family sociology in Europe (pp. 377–398). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraley, R. C., & Heffernan, M. E. (2013). Attachment and parental divorce: A test of the diffusion and sensitive period hypotheses. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(9), 1199–1213. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213491503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giraud, C. (2020). Relations non-cohabitantes après 50 ans et conjugalité. In M. Oris, T. Gnoumou, C. Bilampoa, & O. Ruxandra (Eds.), Relations sociales dans la vieillesse: Solidarités et tensions (pp. 15–24). AIDELF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouveia, R., & Castrén, A. M. (2021). Redefining the boundaries of family and personal relationships. In A. M. Castrén, V. Cesnuityte, I. Crespi, J. A. Gauthier, R. Gouveia, C. Martin, M. Moreno Mínguez, & K. Suwada (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of family sociology in Europe (pp. 259–278). Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haskey, J. (2005). Living arrangements in contemporary Britain: Having a partner who usually lives elsewhere and living apart together (LAT). Population Trends, 122, 35–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, J. (2000). Repartnering after divorce. Marginal mates and unwedded women. Family Matters, 55, 16–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langmeyer, A. N., Recksiedler, C., Entleitner-Phleps, C., & Walper, S. (2022). Post-separation physical custody arrangements in Germany: Examining sociodemographic correlates, parental coparenting, and child adjustment. Social Sciences, 11(3), 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11030114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, I. (2004). Living apart together: A new family form. Current Sociology, 52, 223–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyssens-Danneboom, V., & Mortelmans, D. (2014). Living apart together and money: New partnerships, traditional gender roles. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(5), 949–966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paprzycka, E., & Mianowska, E. (2019). Płeć i związki intymne – Strukturalne uwarunkowania. Trwałości pary intymnej. Dyskursy Młodych Andragogów, 20, 441–455. https://doi.org/10.34768/dma.vi20.38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Régnier-Loilier, A., Beaujouan, E., & Villeneuve-Gokalp, C. (2009). Neither single, nor in a couple: A study of living apart together in France. Demographic Research, 21, 75–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reimondos, A., Evans, A., & Gray, E. (2011). Living-apart-together (LAT) relationships in Australia: An overview. Family Matters, 87, 43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roseneil, S. (2006). On not living with a partner: Unpicking coupledom and cohabitation. Sociological Research Online, 11, 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoilova, M., Roseneil, S., Carter, J., Duncan, S., & Philipps, M. (2017). Constructions, reconstructions and deconstructions of ‘family’ amongst people who live apart together (LATs). The British Journal of Sociology, 68(1), 78–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together. Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Eeden-Moorefield, B., Pasley, K., Dolan, E. M., & Engel, M. (2007). From divorce to remarriage: Financial management and security among remarried women. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 47(3–4), 21–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villeneuve-Gokalp, C. (1994). Après la séparation: conséquences de la rupture et avenir conjugal. In H. Leridon & C. Villeneuve-Gokalp (Eds.), Constance et inconstances de la famille: Biographies familiales des couples et des enfants (pp. 137–164). Les Cahiers de l’Ined.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Sciences Department (Institute of Sociology), University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

    Magdalena Żadkowska

  2. Centre de recherche sur les liens sociaux (CERLIS, UMR 8070), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France

    Magdalena Żadkowska & Christophe Giraud

Authors
  1. Magdalena Żadkowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christophe Giraud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Magdalena Żadkowska .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Social Sciences Department (Institute of Sociology), University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

    Magdalena Żadkowska

  2. Faculty of Sociology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland

    Marta Skowrońska

  3. Centre de recherche sur les liens sociaux (CERLIS, UMR 8070), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France

    Christophe Giraud

  4. Faculty of Sociology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland

    Filip Schmidt

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Żadkowska, M., Giraud, C. (2024). Recoupling Transitions in the Empty Nest: Women’s Perspective. In: Żadkowska, M., Skowrońska, M., Giraud, C., Schmidt, F. (eds) Reconfiguring Relations in the Empty Nest. Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50403-7_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50403-7_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-50402-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-50403-7

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation