To be in a relationship that is happily ever after can seem to be as much of a fairy tale as being able to live together until death do you part. Statistics indicate that divorce is as much of a reality these days as being in a lasting marriage. Those same statistics challenge many of the myths about divorce.
One of the most common myths is that men initiate most divorces. That may have been true in the past, but that trend is changing. Studies indicate that two-thirds of divorces are filed by women.
Societal Changes
A recent Stanford study discovered that about 70 percent of all divorces are filed by the wife. A variety of things make divorce more realistic for women.
- Two-income homes. Divorces have increased as more partners both work outside the home. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women make up more than half of today’s workforce. More economic security for both has led to the belief that each of them will be able to maintain their lifestyle.
- Property rights. Many states have approved a homemaker’s provision in divorces. Judges in those states must recognize a homemaker’s contribution to their marriage in division of marital property.
- Gender equity. The burden of childcare, cooking and chores inside the home still often fall to the woman in a relationship. Those beliefs are changing, but it still contributes to many divorces.
- No-fault divorces. At-fault divorces often required blame on one of the spouses. As more states allowed no-fault divorces, the divorce rate more than doubled.
- Acceptance. As the number of divorces increased, so has acceptance. Many people are divorced today and there is less stigma with being divorced as there was in the past.
Divorce Is A Possibility
Not every marriage will last forever. Regardless of your gender, if you feel your relationship cannot be fixed, you have emotional and legal options.
