Why Are More People Getting Divorced in their Late 50’s?
Divorce is never a pleasant experience, regardless of how old you are when you face the possibility that your marriage might not be working. Typically speaking, the longer you stay married the more likely you are to stay married.
However, recent trends have shown a marked increase in divorce among people who are 50 years of age and older. Many reasons exist for couples to stay together, although recent improvements in quality of life and how people age appear to have changed marriage irrevocably.
Statistics of Over-50 Divorce
The ratio of couples getting a divorce who are 50 years and older was 1 in 10 in 1990. As of 2010, that number has increased dramatically, to 1 in 4 people getting a divorce at the age of 50 and older.
Those who have already been married and divorced have an even higher ratio of divorce past the age of 50, with the odds of divorce jumping by 40%. These stats represent a stark change in marriage habits in the span of a couple of decades.
Long Life, Long Relationships
While the exact reasons why this cultural change has taken place evades researchers and social scientists, demographic information helps reveal potential clue as to why this change has taken place. One significant issue that researchers point to is the fact that people live longer and are capable of enjoying a high quality of life at older and older ages.
This may provide incentive for people to become divorced as they feel making a change will help them enjoy the rest of their lives, especially if married to a partner with whom they’re no longer interested. In particular, those in completely dysfunctional marriages don’t feel the need to stay together and waste the last few decades of their lives.
Economic Concerns
Not everyone who is 50 years of age and older is exposed to this new increase in divorce rates among the age group. One of the main predictors of divorce tends to be whether or not the couple has a college education, similar to the divorce numbers of younger people. Matching intelligence has little to do with this fact. What protects the marriage is the ability for the couple to earn higher levels of income, which acts as socioeconomic stress relief when a rough patch in a relationship must be navigated.
Increased economic resources allow couples to better solve the issues at hand while avoiding the economic stress that creates arguments among lower income couples.
Fine & Associates: Your Family and Divorce Law Specialists
Are you going through a separation or divorce and need legal advice? Contact Fine & Associates today at (416) 650-1300. Our team of dedicated legal professionals understand that this is a challenging time for you and your family. That’s why we treat you with respect, professionalism and courtesy.
Our lawyers will be with you every step of the way and answer any questions you might have about your rights. We will work hard to make sure you get everything you deserve. When you’re going through a separation or divorce, you need legal advice you can trust, so turn to Fine & Associates.