Love and marriage captivate imaginations from the time people are young. Unsurprisingly, divorce is also a fascinating topic as families navigate separating intertwined lives.
If you are confronting the possibility of divorce, the more you know about it can empower you to make better decisions. A few recent facts and statistics might even surprise you and inform your choices.
1. “Gray divorce” is higher than ever
“Gray divorce” refers to couples over 50 years old who decide to end their marriage. A study by the Pew Research Center reports that gray divorce rates doubled between 1990 and 2015.
This trend may be due to societal shifts that encourage people to focus on their own happiness and fulfillment rather than staying in an unhappy marriage for the sake of tradition. Despite their maturity and life experience, senior divorcees need to be aware of the emotional and financial impacts a split can have.
2. Divorce still significantly impacts children
True, attitudes towards marriage and family structures have changed significantly, so divorce is no longer a taboo subject. This does not, however, eliminate the intense psychological or emotional harm the split can have on children, particularly if couples do not handle the process with care. Psychology Today reports that feelings of guilt, shame and traumatic loss are common for children of divorced parents.
3. Divorce rates on the whole are steadily decreasing
News outlets like CNN report that marriage rates are increasing while divorce rates are decreasing. Researchers do not have a definitive answer for why this is, but some attribute the shift to a greater focus on mental health and open communication in relationships.
4. Second and third marriages are more likely to end in divorce
Psychology Today states that the divorce rate for first marriages is 43%. Second marriages have a rate of 67%, and third marriages register at 73%. More than anything, the data seems to indicate the need for divorcees to continue to attend to their mental and emotional health after a split to make sound decisions and avoid repeating the past.
5. Women file for divorce more often
The American Sociological Association conducted a study that determined that women initiate 70% of divorces. Among college-educated women, the figure is 90%. The reasons vary, but women continue to assert their right to leave a marriage on their own terms.
Few people expect to get divorced, but the step often becomes necessary for couples in an irreconcilable situation. While the process can be challenging, taking in as much knowledge as possible and looking to reliable sources for guidance can help you manage.
