What are the most common causes of divorce?
When you say “I do,” you anticipate that it will be forever, but the reality is that close to 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. Researchers are constantly trying to uncover what causes some spouses to divorce, while other marriages withstand the test of time. One new study has linked divorce to feelings of tension within the marriage, particularly where the wife feels tension. Michigan family law attorney Don McGuigan discusses this new research and other top causes of divorce below.
Marital Tension Among Wives Predicts Divorce
Researchers at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research followed 355 couples over a course of 16 years. The study revealed that marital tension tended to increase over time. Husband’s tensions increased at a greater rate than wives, but it was raised marital tension among the wives that predicted the marriage ending in divorce. The tendency for divorce increased even more when men reported low levels of tension, and wives held high levels of tension.
Couples can learn from this study by finding methods to discuss and deal with feelings of tension. Having realistic expectations going into the marriage and keeping open lines of communication could prevent a marriage from reaching the point of divorce. Marriage counselors may also help couples find ways to reduce tensions.
Top Causes of Divorce
Leo Tolstoy’s famous book Anna Karenina starts with the poignant quote “[a]ll happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” This phrase has proven to be accurate for divorce, as each divorce stems from a unique set of circumstances. Nonetheless, there are certain factors that exist in a large number of divorces, leading researchers to name these the top causes of divorce. Some of the most common causes of divorce include:
- Financial troubles
- Mismatched expectations
- Lack of communication
- Infidelity
- Constant arguing
For some couples, divorce is the best pathway to individual happiness. Contact a family law attorney if you are considering divorcing your spouse so as to protect your legal rights.
