Some of the Reasons for Divorce

These days roughly half of marriages end in divorce and around a third of first marriages eventually break down. There are many reasons why a marriage may end with the main legal reasons being adultery, unreasonable behaviour and irreconcilable differences. Of course, in most cases it is a lot more complicated than this, so what are some of the main underlying reasons for couples splitting?

Financial Reasons

This is something that has been particularly highlighted in recent years due to many having financial difficulties. Many couples manage to work through such problems, but for others it can eventually lead to a divorce. Money trouble is generally stressful and stress is never good for a relationship. Such problems can lead to contempt, especially where one spouse feels the other is to blame. A dramatic change in the state of a couples finances (especially a negative change) can have a major impact. Suddenly going from being comfortable to struggling can be very testing. The general frustrations of financial woes can add to the more obvious direct impact.

It is not just financial hardship that can negatively impact a marriage but differing opinions regarding money. Everyone has different ways of dealing with money, such as how much to spend and how much to save. If these are vastly different it can lead to difficulties within a marriage. This also goes for issues relating to work. For example, couples may have different ideas of whether both should work or only one of them. This is particularly the case if they have children.

Adultery

In many ways, this is the most obvious thing that can lead to a divorce. If one person within a marriage has an affair it is often a catalyst for a separation. It can be difficult for the other person to forgive and the trust may be permanently gone.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse and addiction has a major negative impact not only on the users themselves, but also on their family. Amongst other things, it alters someone’s personality and can make them impossible to deal with. Some couples do manage to work through these issues together, but often this is not the case.

Lifestyle Differences

Everyone is different to some extent, so being different does not mean a marriage cannot work. However, there are times when two people are just too different or their differences are too incompatible. Sometimes differences can work alongside each other but sometime they cannot. If two people have completely opposing ideas of how they would like to live their lives, it can mean they effectively live apart. If both people have strong religious beliefs or cultural ways of doing things that oppose each other, and both are unwilling to compromise, then it can lead to conflicting ways of living their lives together.

In-Laws

If someone doesn’t get along with their husband’s or wife’s family then it can put strain on a marriage. In most marriages each person will be spending time with their in-laws, especially at times such as Christmas. The same thing applies to each other’s friends. While you don’t have to be best friends with your spouse’s family and friends, not being civil with them can lead to problems.

Andrew Marshall ©