Many people assume that divorce is something that usually happens to young couples. Part of the reason for this may be that getting married at a young age does increase someone’s divorce odds. They also may assume that a couple who has made it past the seven-year itch is going to be much less likely to get divorced, so older couples seem like they would have lower divorce rates.
But this is actually not what’s been happening. Recent trends have shown that there are lower divorce rates for almost every age group, except those who are 50 years old and older. For them, the divorce rate is only increasing. Gray divorce, as this has been termed, is the only type of divorce that is getting more common. Why is this happening?
Changing the way that we view relationships
There are numerous reasons that people will cite, such as increases in life expectancy or the prevalence of second marriages ending in divorce.
But one big thing to think about is simply that relationships have changed in two key ways. First and foremost, many young couples will cohabitate and get married later. This wasn’t as common in the past, so these couples would’ve gotten married and divorced instead of just living together and then breaking up. Those relationships are still ending, even if they don’t count toward the divorce rate.
Additionally, people don’t see divorce as being taboo in the way that they may have before. This is been something of a generational shift. Older couples may not have felt comfortable getting divorced in the past, even when they want to, but these changing perceptions make it possible today.
Regardless of the exact reasons, it’s quite important for those who are getting divorced to understand exactly what legal steps they need to take.