Gender Bias

There are many reasons why men receive less alimony, spousal support, and child support than women do, though the number of men receiving such payments is growing. According to alimony statistics and surveys, it has less to do with alimony legal guidelines, than the accepted societal role of men. A 1970s Supreme Court case abolished any legal gender bias when awarding alimony. Surveys show that the general feeling in society is that a man who asks for alimony, spousal support or child support is weak. For centuries, men were in charge of taking care of their wives and families.

Although alimony, spousal support and child support was regularly given to women throughout history, a shift took place in the 1970s, after more women began working outside the home. That, coupled with the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act of 1970 that gave men the right seek alimony payments increased the number of women paying alimony. The number of men who are granted alimony, spousal support or child support has also increased because more men are becoming the primary caregivers of their children.


Although there is not supposed to be a gender bias anymore, alimony statistics show that women make up less then 4% of people who pay spousal support. Although society has come a long way towards gender equality, there are still some hurdles that have not been cleared. The social stigma against men who seek alimony, spousal support or child support has been strong enough to keep many of them out of court, despite their legal rights.

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