Spark1111 Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 Almost 40 percent of all divorces occur in the first 5 years having none to one child, according to a United Nations survey of western industrialized countries I read in a psych article. (No, I do not have the link) These are the divorces you do not recognize, hear of or necessarily know about. If you do, then it is assumed is was a mutual mistake. The longer the marriage, and the more children, the less the chance of divorcing. Interesting, no? 1
Act Two Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 Almost 40 percent of all divorces occur in the first 5 years having none to one child, according to a United Nations survey of western industrialized countries I read in a psych article. (No, I do not have the link) These are the divorces you do not recognize, hear of or necessarily know about. If you do, then it is assumed is was a mutual mistake. The longer the marriage, and the more children, the less the chance of divorcing. Interesting, no? That is interesting and kind of blows up the theory of "well, 50% of marriages end in divorce so anyone should be able to easily." It would appear that those married for longer with more enmeshed lives (finances, children) are less likely to leave the marriage (I'm sure for a variety of reasons). 1
Act Two Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 It seems as if women and children fare worse financially after divorce: Future of children Financial impact This is an anti-divorce site, but cites the statistic that 50% of children fall into poverty post-divorce (who were previously not in that bracket. Substantial decline of mothers and children financially post divorce Anyway, one thing I learned through my experience is that I am going to teach my daughter to have her own career! I sidelined mine to stay home (well, work from home) and have been putting it back together for the past few years, but still. 5
waterwoman Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 Anyway, one thing I learned through my experience is that I am going to teach my daughter to have her own career! I sidelined mine to stay home (well, work from home) and have been putting it back together for the past few years, but still. Totally agree act. It is the most important thing you can do for her IMO. My DD has her future mapped out - and she is top of all the top sets in her school so she has a choice. I would hate to think she wastes her potential. Mind you both my boys are adorable, unfocused dreamers so not all good news.... 2
cocorico Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Almost 40 percent of all divorces occur in the first 5 years having none to one child, according to a United Nations survey of western industrialized countries I read in a psych article. (No, I do not have the link) These are the divorces you do not recognize, hear of or necessarily know about. If you do, then it is assumed is was a mutual mistake. The longer the marriage, and the more children, the less the chance of divorcing. Interesting, no? From anecdotes / observations / journalistic claims, I would imagine there to be a second peak of "empty nest" Ds, when those who have either explicitly "stayed together for the kids" or who simply find they have little to nothing in common once the kids have left, decide to invest the rest of their lives more meaningfully. Also, the grey Ds, occasioned by the retirement of one or both partners, who find having the other underfoot all day difficult, and the retired partner struggling with identity issue post R.... And of course, Ds occasioned by "MLC", often but not always involving an A. This would be a more recent phenomenon though I would imagine, spurred by living longer, by changing expectations, and by a greater societal acceptance of D at least in some places. 1
Spark1111 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 From anecdotes / observations / journalistic claims, I would imagine there to be a second peak of "empty nest" Ds, when those who have either explicitly "stayed together for the kids" or who simply find they have little to nothing in common once the kids have left, decide to invest the rest of their lives more meaningfully. Also, the grey Ds, occasioned by the retirement of one or both partners, who find having the other underfoot all day difficult, and the retired partner struggling with identity issue post R.... And of course, Ds occasioned by "MLC", often but not always involving an A. This would be a more recent phenomenon though I would imagine, spurred by living longer, by changing expectations, and by a greater societal acceptance of D at least in some places. Yes, well sort of.... The survey was quoted by evolutionary psychologists, a new field, that claimed years and resources invested determined divorce rates....Interesting no? The next biggest wave was 5 to 15 years with zero to 2 children...29%, I believe? Both partners are young enough to attract new mates, and not so financially invested to stay. Then 15 to 25 years married, with zero to 3 children was 19%. I'd stick the empty nesters and MLCs in this category. 25 to 30 years, zero to 3 or more kids, 8%. Make it to 30 years or have more than 4 children.....divorce rates are miniscule.
beenburned Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 I agree with both Spark and Coco's findings! I read that the highest numbers of divorce was in the first 7 years of marriage. There is a combination of disallusion of marriage in general, and/or their spouse personally. Also hormones are at an all time high amoung people in their 20's, resulting in a high cheating rate! Next highest divorce was in the empty nest couples, many of whom stayed together mainly for the benefit of the children. If you make it past the mid-life crisis, the odds of divorce go down drastically. However, one interesting thing I have noticed amoung the 65 yr old crowd, is some older women are more likely to divorce if they were always unhappy with their H's/marriages. There is two reasons for this, one they can now draw their social security and pensions, and qualify for medicare for their insurance. They also by now have most likely inherited their parents homes/assets/money, so they are more financially independent.
Act Two Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 This is an interesting article here on the "Gray Divorce," (Tipper and Al?) citing the statistic that the divorce rate among adults ages 50 and older doubled between 1990 and 2009. Roughly 1 in 4 divorces in 2009 occurred to persons ages 50 and older. I didn't read the whole thing but one possible reason cited for this is the fact that there are less widows/widowers in the population. I'm wondering that as people live longer, marriages go on longer so people need to end them another way where prior to that bad marriages would have ended naturally by a spouse dying. Kind of morbid, but interesting!
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