Are you contemplating a divorce? Whether it’s just started to cross your mind or you feel that a divorce is inevitable, it may help to learn more about the trends and statistics surrounding divorce.
There are a lot of commonly held beliefs about divorce that are just not factually true. Here are a few facts about divorce that you may find surprising:
Overall divorce rates are decreasing
It is often stated that half of all American marriages end in divorce, but is that true? According to the new research, the divorce rate has considerably decreased in recent years. In 2020, the divorce rate is the lowest it has been in 50 years. That’s generally been attributed to the fact that people are generally being more cautious about marriage in the first place.
Divorce is seasonal
You know there’s a flu season, a tax season and a holiday season — but you may be surprised to discover that divorce in America is also seasonal. According to the University of Washington, March and August have the largest influx of new divorce filings. This is likely because couples wait until the end of the holiday season or the end of summer break (if they have kids) to split up.
The children of divorce are breaking generational cycles
Children who grew up in homes where their parents often fought but never divorced are more likely to get a divorce when they are older than children whose parents divorced. This means that the children of unhappily married parents are learning to break the cycle in their own adult lives.
First-time divorces tend to occur early in life
More than 60% of divorces are between spouses between 25 and 39 years old. The bulk of marriages that end in divorce, do so around age 30. These statistics are for those that are going through a divorce for the first time.
When you’re struggling to make a decision about divorce, it’s helpful to know that you aren’t alone. The more you learn, the clearer your thoughts about the direction you need to take may become.