Divorce Rates and Factors PDF

Divorce rates: - Almost 50% of all marriages end in divorce - 40% of first marriages end in divorce - 60% of second marriages - 74% of third marriages - Average of first marriage: 8 years - Average of second marriage: 7 years Demographics: - The first 4 years of marriage:...

Divorce rates: - Almost 50% of all marriages end in divorce - 40% of first marriages end in divorce - 60% of second marriages - 74% of third marriages - Average of first marriage: 8 years - Average of second marriage: 7 years Demographics: - The first 4 years of marriage: marriage is vulnerable to disruption, 1 in 3 of all divorces occur in the first four years, approximately 1 in 3 divorces take place in the next 5 years - 60% of divorce is ages 25 to 39 years old - Wives file for divorce ⅔ of the time Divorce divide: - Couples that are college graduates divorce 25% of the time - Couples with less education divorce 50% of the time Sociocultural factors: 1. Individualism: if marriage doesn’t fulfill all my needs, then I don’t want to be married 2. Less traditional religious views on marriage 3. Less tolerance of poor marriage (ex: grandparents are more likely to stay in an unhappy marriage) 4. Women have an increased economic independence now 5. Divorce laws: no fault divorce (unilateral), don’t have to show cause or go to court Joint vs no fault: mexico and divorce - 1917: divorce was legal, however mutual agreement was needed and if not, couples had to go to court - 2008: mexico city was the first entity to approve unilateral divorce - Since then, 17/31 states approved - 26% increase in divorce Legal divorce- late countries: - Significant opposition from the catholic church - Italy: 1971 - Brazil: 1977 - Spain: 1981 - Argentina: 1987 - Ireland: 1997 - Chile: 2004 (last country in americas, bill introduced in 1995) - Malta: 2011 Last country where divorce is still illegal- history: - Philippines (111 million people) - Prior to 1521, divorce was commonly practiced - Colonized by spain in 1521: ferdinand magellan- catholic church - American colony in 1898 (spanish/american war): 1917: divorce was legal only for adultery - 1950: philippines was granted independence (1917 law revoked)  - Currently illegal: 2018/2021: first bill ever passed in house, not senate- slow process, hopeful legal Philippines and divorce: - Divorce is legal for muslim citizens (11%) - Options for non-muslims: 1) legal separation (but cannot remarry) 2) church or civil annulment ($10,000 a year)- slow, psychologically painful, expensive, creates disputes not existed (bribes, money) - Contradiction of religiosity and culture of male power/privilege: mistresses, children with other partners - Consequence: weakened marriage (benefits from it), “millions” of illegitimate children (inheritance, legal rights) Why do people divorce: - Affairs (1/3) - Chronic conflict - Life events: illness, job chances, children leave home - #1 reason: emotional distance- can’t resolve key differences How relationships break down: 1. Lack of relationship development while dating: costs already exist, cohabitation- inertia effect, lack of commitment 2. Small differences and conflicts is greater than the positive behaviors and creates more distance 3. Emotional and sexual intimacy declines 4. Don’t keep up the 5:1 ratio 5. Couples lead parallel lives without connection 6. 4 horsemen of the apocalypse 7. Negative sentiment override The rise of the “silver divorce” - Divorce in later years is no longer rare - Only demographic is increasing - Reasons: longevity, emotional distance/lack of attachment, joint work parenting is complete, women’s financial autonomy - Particularly true for boomers (age 58-76): first 10 years, 27% had broken up; after 30 years, more than 50% have divorced; after the 40 year mark, the rate is slowing down but some continue to divorce Gottman research: - Predictor of divorce: criticism, defensiveness, contempt - Antidote: complaint, accepting responsibility, appreciation