Divorce has gone through a steady evolution over the last several generations. There was a time when people only got divorced on specific grounds. For example, their spouse cheated on them, was sexually abusive, or physically incapable of consummating the marriage. Even then, the idea of splitting up was considered a last resort, to be used only when other measures were unable to resolve the outstanding issues.
Of course, things are much different today. Married couples seeking divorce no longer need to present specific grounds for their decision. They can claim “irreconcilable differences,” which means the marriage is essentially unworkable.
Other divorce trends have surfaced in recent years. Some of them may be surprising to you. A few are inconsistent with the popular notions people continue to have about divorce. We’ll cover 5 ot those trends below.
#1 – Getting Married After 25 Lowers The Chances Of Divorce
This is arguably the least surprising of the trends. According to data compiled by eLocal.com, individuals who get married after they turn 25 are 24% less likely to get divorced than their younger counterparts. (It’s worth noting that other factors, such as education, income, and religious affiliation, can also play a role.)
To couples that have been married for decades, the insight is almost intuitive. Young spouses are less likely to stay together when their marriages are in trouble. This is especially true given how easy it is (in most states) to dissolve the marriages.
#2 – The Divorce Rate Is Falling, But…
Another surprising trend is that the divorce rate in the U.S. is actually in decline. That is contrary to what many people assume, namely that more couples than ever are calling it quits. It seems as if people are more inclined to stay together.
But looks can be deceiving. A closer inspection of the data shows that the decline may have little to do with the idea that people are choosing to stay together. Rather, fewer people than ever are getting married in the first place. The fewer couples that tie the knot, the fewer divorces there will be.
#3 – The Divorce Rate Among Seniors Is On The Rise
Having said the above, the divorce rate among older married people – those between the ages of 50 and 65 – has been rising for years. The rate doubled from 1990 to 2009, according to researchers at the National Center for Family & Marriage Research.[1]
The rise in the number of seniors calling it quits – many of them after 30 or 40 years of marriage – is startling. It suggests that marriage is increasingly seen as a relic from the past. At the very least, the saying “till death do us part” has become less relevant.
[1] http://ncfmr.bgsu.edu/pdf/working_papers/file108701.pdf
#4 – Men Are Seldom The Instigators Of Divorce
A common misconception about divorce is that men are the ones who usually initiate it. In reality, data show that women are much more likely to file for divorce than men. There are several contributing factors. For example, women in the past often married for financial security. They were unlikely to get divorced, even if they were unhappy or the victim of spousal abuse.
Today, more women than ever are building careers. Doing so has given them a level of financial independence that previous generations of married women lacked. As a result, rather than stay in an unhealthy marriage, they are more inclined to get a divorce and seek happiness elsewhere.
#5 – Kids’ Income Potential Is Influenced By Their Parents Marriage
Another unexpected trend involves the future earning potential of young people whose parents get divorced. Data show that kids who grow up with both parents married to each other and earning a high income are practically guaranteed to enjoy a high income themselves in adulthood. Conversely, a child who lives with a single parent who earns a high income is far less likely to enjoy a high income as an adult. Meanwhile, a child who lives with a single parent who earns a low income will almost certainly earn a low income later in life.
Society’s view toward marriage and divorce will continue to change as the years pass. It is inevitable. If you’re considering a divorce, the most important thing you can do is speak with a family law attorney who can offer expert advice tailored to your circumstances