A common statistic is that half of all marriages will end in divorce. This statistic has been accurate for the last 40 years. While divorce rates have fluctuated over time, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the divorce rate became statistically prevalent. However, the rate of divorce has been slowly but steadily decreasing since 1980.
Why Divorces Increased
Before 1970, divorce was uncommon and hard to get. The fault was required so one of the spouses must have committed a sin or crime that justified divorce. This meant that there needed to be cruelty, abandonment, or adultery in order to end the marriage. No-fault divorce then became an option in some states in the 1950s and couples didn’t need to prove one person was at fault and could just say that the marriage was broken down. In 1970, almost all states allowed for a no-fault divorce. A long separation before divorce also used to be mandatory, but then many states passed laws that decreased the time for separation and it made divorce faster and easier. These laws had a big effect on the divorce rate. Divorce also became more accepted in society and there is no more guilt. When more couples separated, divorce became a normal way of life.
Factors Associated with a Higher Divorce Rate
As society changes, the divorce rate has also increased. There are some factors that put couples at a higher risk of divorce.
Young Age
Those who marry at a young age have a higher likelihood of divorce, especially in the first few years of marriage.
Limited Education
Those who have some college education and couples that have finished high school versus not finishing high school have a lower chance of divorce.
Less Income
Couples that have a modest income can help avoid the stress that can lead to divorce.
Premarital Cohabitation
Couples that live together before they get married seem to have a higher chance of divorce if they do end up marrying. This risk is mostly true for people who have cohabitated with multiple partners. A common myth is that living together before marriage can give couples an opportunity to get to know each other better, but research shows that those that cohabitate before marriage have already developed leniency toward divorce. This is what leads these couples to a higher divorce rate. There are also some caveats to these statistics. Those who get engaged and then live with each other aren’t at a higher risk for a future divorce. The commitment toward marriage instead reduces the risk.
Premarital Children
Pregnancy and childbearing before marriage can increase the risk of future divorces.
No Religious Affiliation
Research shows that those who don’t have any religious affiliation are more likely to get divorced than those who have one.
Parents’ Divorce
Being a child of divorced parents can also increase your risk of divorce. If one spouse has divorced parents, it can double your risk of divorce and if both spouses have experienced divorced parents, it can triple the risk of divorce. This doesn’t mean that you are predisposed to a marriage ending indirectly, but you should be more aware and may have to work harder in order to have a successful marriage.
Common Reasons for Divorce
Some of the most common reasons couples give for divorce include infidelity, lack of equality in the relationship, lack of preparation for marriage, too much arguing, marrying too young, or unrealistic expectations. Many of these common reasons fall into no longer being in love and the nature of love does change over time.
Clear Valid Reasons for Divorce
Divorce can take a toll, but there are some situations that deserve special consideration where it may be the best option.
Abuse
When there is a pattern of abuse, there is research that shows ending the marriage can be best for everyone involved. While some people are able to overcome and end abuse, abused spouses, as well as children, are typically better off if the marriage ends. These can be dangerous situations and it’s important to have the resources necessary in order to end the relationship safely.
Infidelity
Many people say that they would end their marriage if their spouse cheated. However, half of the couples that have dealt with cheating in a marriage can find the strength and desire to stay together.
Addiction
Addiction can come in many different forms. In some cases, an addict is able to recover and the marriage can be saved. In other cases, the spouse and children need to separate from the addict to see if the marriage can improve and the addict recovers. Each person will have unique circumstances and it’s helpful to turn to a trained professional.
More about Divorce Statistics
Even though divorce rates have fallen, marriage rates have also dropped too. As more and more couples live together without formalizing a marriage, the rate of divorce doesn’t accurately represent the number of long-term relationships that end. Separation also doesn’t count in terms of divorce statistics. While the majority of people who separate do go on to divorce, this may not always be the case.
There is also a seasonal spike in divorces in the country. Many people file between January and March. Some researchers think this is due to the strain on the family over the holiday period. Divorce rates vary by state. The lowest rates are in Louisiana and Illinois and the highest rates are in Oklahoma and Nevada.
