Getting engaged and then ultimately married is an exciting time of life. A new shared life with the person of your dreams and endless possibilities. Amid the excitement, have you had the experience of that one well-intentioned friend, family member, or co-worker reminding you that 50% of all marriages end in divorce? You might be surprised and relieved to learn that divorce is actually at an all-time low in the U.S.
What is Behind the Decline in Divorce?
According to a recent article on Bloomberg, the rate of divorce is down and the number of couples getting married is slightly up. This article, titled Divorce in U.S. Plunges to 35-Year Low, shares census data from the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University on current trends in marriage and divorce. Divorces were at their peak in 1980 and have been declining since. In most recent years, the divorce rate has quickly dropped.
While the statistics cannot pinpoint a specific reason for the decline in divorce, there may be a number of factors that play a role in the decline. Gender roles are changing, and despite the recent increase in marriage this past year, there are still less married couples than there were in past decades. Many people have chosen to either stay single or cohabitate without saying their vows. In fact, the number of unmarried couples over the age of 50 that live together has tripled since the year 2000.
Another potential factor that seems to impact both marriage and divorce is location. Northeastern states tend to have the lowest rates of marriage. The highest rates of divorce can be found in Washington D.C. and Wyoming.
Do These Statistics Improve the Chances of a Successful Marriage?
Even though the rate of divorce has decreased, it doesn’t mean that any particular marriage has a better chance of lasting. In fact, the divorce rate in certain groups, such as Baby Boomers, has actually increased despite the overall drop in the rate of divorce.
While the statistics look promising, divorce remains a complex and emotional process. If you are considering a divorce, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to work through the difficult process of dividing up of the property, child custody, and the many other challenges associated with divorce.