Midis de la recherche

Christine Schnor (DEMO/UCLouvain),
Julia Mikolai (University St Andrews),
Mothers' location continuity after separation in Belgium: immobility and return moves.

Partnership dissolution can mark an extended period of residential instability for mothers and their children. Location continuity, i.e., the ability to stay in the same neighbourhood, is essential to reduce the negative consequences of a parental separation for children. We study mothers’ residential mobility in Belgium (2001-2006) in the three years following separation under the angle of location continuity, taking into account the mother’s resources and local ties to a home, a neighbourhood and the surrounding region. This study shows that the lack of socio-economic resources, an unfavourable position on the housing market (more than average number of children), and a lack of local ties make it difficult to find nearby accommodation.