FAMILY STRUCTURE AND LABOR MARKET ENTRY: THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL DIVORCE ON JOB INSECURITY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

This study investigates how early labor market outcomes for young adults in the Netherlands are affected by parental divorce. The study investigates, how family structure throughout childhood may affect income, educational attainment, and subjective job insecurity later in life, utilizing theoretical concepts from Family Investment Theory, Family Stress Theory, and Social Capital Theory. According to Family Investment Theory, children’s developmental opportunities are influenced by the financial and non-financial resources of their parents. Family Stress Theory emphasizes how family disruption can cause psychological stress and instability, which can impede career and educational opportunities. According to Social Capital Theory, family relationships and social networks are important for granting access to opportunities and assistance, which can be lessened after experiencing a parental divorce. A sample of 681 people between the ages of 18 and 34 was subjected to a number of quantitative analyses using information from the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel, a Dutch household survey. A summary of the sample’s socioeconomic and demographic traits was given by descriptive statistics. The relationships between parental divorce and perceived job instability, gross income, and educational attainment were investigated using both linear and multinomial logistic regressions. The findings showed no statistically significant correlation between parental divorce and either educational attainment or gross monthly income. Nonetheless, there were significant correlations found between income and gender and educational attainment. Respondents who were female and had less education made substantially less money. Furthermore, perceived job instability was substantially higher among female respondents. These results imply that although parental divorce might not directly affect early labor market outcomes, it’s possible indirect effects, especially through education pathways, deserve more research.