Economic Well-Being

• Richard R. Peterson's book, "Women, Work and Divorce" states divorce has negative effects on a woman's economic well-being. She is more likely to be poor and to receive public assistance.
  
  

Standard of Living

• Peterson also states that, after a divorce, women may have a lower standard of living--about 5 percent to 20 percent lower than it was during marriage.
  
  

Careers

• The effect of divorce on a woman's career depends on her work prior to divorce. Women who were homemakers may find it extremely difficult to make adjustments and go into, or back into, the workplace.
  
  

Salaries

• According to Peterson, the effect of divorce when it comes to salary is positive. He says divorced women generally earn more money and have a higher earning power than married women.
  
  

Friendships

• Alison Clarke-Stewart and Cornelia Brentano in their book, "Divorce: Causes and Consequences," state divorced women make approximately five new friendships during the first few years after their divorce. This is to compensate for the friendships they lost in the divorce.