Today, it is estimated one out of every two marriages will result in divorce. This is up significantly from 1950, when the divorce rate was about 22-24 percent. Why has the rate gone up so much in the last half century?
A couple plausible explanations reflect today’s societal changes. These are rushed or impulsive marriages when two people do not fully know and understand one another. They happen because it seems like a good idea at the time. They are often short lived. We live in a reality TV world and like most things in life, marriage has disposal quality to some. The hard work that is required for any marriage is ignored in search of the quick fix, the quick fix being a divorce. Infidelity is also a contributing factor that certainly isn’t new to relationships but is a symptom of the ills of one.
Other reasons go deeper. People change during their life, let alone the course of their marriage. Sometimes these changes only serve to enrich the relationship, like becoming parents, for example. Other times, they serve as a hinderance.
Consider when the roles in a marriage change. What happens if the primary earner no longer owns that role? What if the foundation of a marriage was based on the man earning the money and woman raising the family? If these roles reversed, what effect would that have? How does each party identify with their assigned roles if they change?
A larger reason and one that is probably the easiest to address is simply trying to work through issues when they appear. Couples can often find themselves unhappy for a number of reasons such as parenting philosophies, drifting apart, or simply wanting different things. If these issues or thoughts are not combated, what will happen to the marriage? Perhaps nothing. What would happen in the ones that take the time to identify and repair their unhappiness through talking, counseling, or self-reflection? Perhaps growth and appreciation of their partners and a happy marriage.
