Studies Reveal Men and Women Negotiate Divorce Settlements Differently

 Posted on December 23, 2016 in Divorce

Undoubtedly, when couples decide to file for divorce, two of the most emotionally and mentally draining topics that arise following the decision are the division of property and child custody arrangements. If a couple shares a child, the stress of arranging parenting time is only compounded when the subject of dividing belongings is added to the mix. Everything combined calls for multiple lifestyle changes at once, creating a number of inevitable emotional landmines for everyone involved.

Priorities and Perspectives When Dividing Property

When it comes to dividing property, deciding who gets what after the divorce can be particularly distressing due to the finality that surrounds the task. Splitting belongings is the final step in ending a life that was once shared and beginning a new one, making it an overwhelming, burdensome chore for both parties.

According to studies reported by the American Psychological Association, the moment couples begin weighing the division of property in preparation for a settlement, they approach the subject with different perspectives. These differences ultimately determine their priorities, which often clash when it is time to meet with a mediator or attorney. Studies have shown the following differences between men and women when it is time to negotiate property division:

• Women tend to focus more on interpersonal goals;
• Task-specific goals are more typically the focal point for men;
• Women are more concerned about their relationships with others than men are;
• Women are more leery of risk at the end of marriage, which may suggest they are more likely to accept smaller settlements; and
• Women are also more likely to forego monetary benefits than men are due to their cautious nature when it comes to settlements.

Along with these notable differences between men and women regarding their approach to settlement negotiations, other important research indicates there is a general perception of higher value placed on belongings that a party owns personally. For example, a husband or wife may feel less concerned about losing a particular joint savings account versus a brand new car that they personally purchased and placed in their name.

Dividing property following a divorce can certainly be emotionally taxing, but with help of a professional mediator and a knowledgeable, qualified Kane County divorce attorney, you can approach the task with confidence and the guidance you need to successfully work through the process to achieve results you feel good about. When you are ready to begin negotiating the division of property for your divorce case, call Shaw Sanders, P.C. at 630-584-5550 for a personal consultation.

Source:

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/11/jn.aspx