Factors Associated with Divorce

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DIVORCE

Research shows there are 4 major factors that increase the likelihood of divorce

A. Divorce Caused By Age At Marriage

1. As age when married decreases, likelihood of divorce increases

- Couples under the age of 18 are much more likely to divorce than couples

who marry at any later age

2. Younger Couples Are:

- Unprepared for marriage

- Unaware of what is expected of them

- Not mature enough to handle responsibilities

3. Drawbacks

- The younger you are the less dating experience you’ve had

- Not sure what you really value in a partner

- Being young they may get bored and prefer a new marriage as opposed to

their current one

- Young couples have few reasons not to divorce

- May have married without parents permission, so divorce may be

supported by family

- Likely do not have property together

4. Marrying due to pregnancy

- Having a child before or early in marriage

- Gives couple little time to adjust to each other and demands of marriage

- May limit the parents’ educational and occupational goals

- Increases financial strain on relationship

B. Race

1. Studies show African Americans have higher divorce rates than Whites or Latinos

- African Americans also much more likely to remain in a “separated” status

- Their greater likelihood of being unemployed and living in poverty

contribute to marital disruption

2. African American women are:

- Less likely to marry

- More likely to separate or divorce

- Less likely to remarry

On average African American women spend only about half the amount of

time