Divorce happens for many reasons, and, in some cases, there doesn’t seem to be a solid reason at all. Couples just don’t feel like it’s working out. However, there are a few life events that experts have noted can often lead to a split. Three examples are noted below.
1. The loss of a job.
A few years ago, researchers at Ohio State studied the impact of unemployment on marriage. Interestingly, they found that a man who is unemployed is both more likely to have his wife file for divorce and more likely to file for it himself.
2. Sickness.
You may have said you’d stay together in sickness and in health, but case studies have shown that illness actually does lead to divorce in many cases. When someone is seriously ill, it often means the other person has to care for them, and it means that the family could face mounting debt. These strains can end a marriage.
3. Having kids.
People will often talk about staying together for the kids, but some studies have found that the stress of raising kids can push parents apart. The Journal of Family Psychology carried out one such study, and two thirds (67 percent) of the couples reported that their satisfaction with their marriage declined in the three years following a child’s birth.
Many people who are very happy when they get married are not as happy when big life changes strike. They no longer feel the same as they did on that wedding day, and it can end the relationship. If this has happened to you, be sure you know your rights regarding child custody, asset division, support payments, and the like.
Source: Health, “7 Life Events That Can Lead to Divorce,” Amanda MacMillan, accessed Nov. 18, 2016
