Why the Divorce Rate in the United States is So High
According to data, the divorce rate in the United States has fallen over the last few decades. In 2017, the divorce rate was 2.9 per 1000 people, down from 3.2 per 1000 people in 2014. As of 2022, divorce rates are at all-time lows, with figures dropping to 2.5 per 1000 people.
But despite the downward trend from the 2000s, it is still high compared to other countries. The US ranks 4th in countries with the highest divorce rate. Russia is ranked 1st, Belarus at 2nd, and Gibraltar at 3rd.
If you care about making your own marriage last, it’s important for you to be aware of the reasons why so many others are failing.
People Fall in Love and Marry at a Young Age.
The average age of couples going through a divorce in the United States is 30 years old. What do these couples have in common? They married at a comparatively young age.
Instead of striving for fulfillment and stability in their own lives first, these couples end up giving in to their passions and marrying young. Society has taught them to be open to falling in love at a young age, often failing to see the consequences.
When these couples grow and mature, they soon realize their marriage is not as fulfilling as they thought it would be, mostly because they got married for all the wrong reasons, including:
- Peer pressure. They see their friends do it, so they follow.
- Parents tell them to do it. Parents are usually the reason behind young couples marrying, especially when they see marriage as a ticket to a brighter future.
- Being together for a long time. Young couples often decide to marry because they don’t want to waste the years they’ve been together.
The Fault of Familiarity.
There is a popular proverb that says “Familiarity breeds contempt,” and nothing rings truer for most married couples in the US. It means the better and longer you know someone, the more you will find fault with them. The more time you spend with your partner, the more you lose respect for them. The excitement of marriage eventually dies down, and couples often seek that excitement with other people.
Evolving Standards.
This issue can be an effect of getting married at a young age. As couples mature, their standards evolve and it affects how they see their partners. Women’s standards can become too high, and men are not willing to meet them; Men’s standards can become too low, and women are not willing to accept them.
Financial Insecurity.
According to statistics, money is the most frequent reason behind major arguments between married couples. Fights over money have increased in recent years due to the following:
- Inequality of gender earnings. Women are earning less than men. As a result, women are often pressured to work harder if they are to contribute equally to their families.
- Economic recession. Due to the recent economic recession, couples feel financially insecure with their partners, leading to arguments.
- Pressure from family. The family often has unrealistically high expectations when it comes to earnings. When they feel like you are not providing enough for your family, they will pressure you to the point where you decide you’ve had enough.
Divorce, even in other countries, has become socially acceptable, especially among families that face problems of domestic violence and abuse. While society expects married couples to remain together until the very end, it all boils down to how fulfilling and worthwhile the marriage is for both spouses. No matter what society thinks, happiness and security should always be the basis for a healthy marriage.
