New Survey on Divorce

If you’ve been considering divorce, you’re not alone. Research indicates that about 25 percent of married individuals have thought about getting a divorce in the past six months, and roughly half of them had been mulling it over for a year or more. About a quarter of them said they’d be willing to work things out if their spouse would commit to making some real changes. Why are so many people dissatisfied with their marriages?  A new study reveals some of the key reasons that divorce is on the minds of so many.

What We Know About Divorce 

Approximately 700,000 couples divorced in 2021.  For those in a first marriage, the rate of surviving a lifetime together is about 50 percent.  But the rate of divorce is much lower for second (67 percent) and third marriages (73 percent). How long does it take for a marriage to collapse? Statistics say the average marriage lasts eight years.

Why Couples Divorce 

While a single issue is generally not the reason for a divorce, most couples can point to a central problem that grated in their marriages. Recent research gives us clues about what causes marriages to collapse:

• Commitment issues: Three out of four couples say a lack of commitment to the union was the bottom line problem that led to divorce.
• Infidelity: 60 percent of couples cite cheating spouses as the primary reason for their divorce.
• Conflict: Constant arguing led to the breakdown of 58 percent of marriages.
• Youth: Almost half of couples divorced after discovering they’d wed too young.
• Money: Financial issues plagued nearly four in ten couples, who ultimately divorced under the strain.
• Domestic Abuse: One in four couples report that domestic abuse led to the collapse of the marriage.
• No Family Support: Almost 20 percent of couples reported that their marriage ended because they simply lacked family support.
• Illness: The strain of health problems led to 17 percent of splits.
• Religion: The inability to overcome religious differences led to 13 percent of divorces.

A Confluence of Issues 

In many situations, problems bubble along until somebody hits a tipping point that makes divorce the only answer. That last straw is reportedly infidelity (24 percent), domestic violence (21 percent) or substance abuse (12 percent). Curiously, none of the partners in the study agreed on the last straw issue in their marriage, but most people believe their partners should have put more effort into the marriage.

Your Advocate 

If your marriage is on the rocks, the experienced Springfield family attorneys at Courtney & Mills can help.  To discuss your goal in the split, schedule a confidential consultation in our Springfield office today.

Source:

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