Divorce is a stressful and frustrating experience that many individuals would do quite a bit to avoid. We know, however, that divorce isn’t actually an uncommon occurrence in today’s society. Given the negative effects that divorce can have upon the individuals undergoing it as well as any children that might be involved, what exactly motivates them to make the decision to end their marriage? Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for divorce!
A Marriage of Convenience
One of the most common causes of divorce has to do with the reasons for the marriage itself. Individuals who marry because they feel it is “expected” of them or because they have already begun planning a wedding and do not want to deal with the fallout of canceling it, for example, often find themselves struggling once the marriage has commenced. The issues that cause you to second-guess a relationship do not disappear once the marriage license is signed, after all.
Codependence
Another common reason behind divorce is a relationship that is codependent in nature. While it is good to have a strong relationship and friendship with your significant other, problems begin to arise when that bond is codependent in nature. Partners feeling as though they are unable to be on their own or pursue their own interests and lives outside of their significant others, in other words, can lead to an overwhelming feeling of stress and frustration. This, in turn, can lead to divorce.
Parental Duties
It is not uncommon for friends who are married to lose touch with friends who are not. The relationship falters because the parties involved suddenly have very different priorities that are not conducive to maintaining a close friendship. The same thing can happen when children enter the picture. Parents might become so consumed in their new roles that they neglect their relationship with their significant other. This can lead to a complete breakdown in communication and, consequently, divorce.
Differing Lifestyle Goals
Many people believe that marriage will help reinforce their relationship, but if the individuals involved have different goals regarding their everyday lives, the opposite can occur. Marriage can really bring differences between partners to light. This includes different views on things like parenting styles, household duties, vacation destinations, relaxation activities, and even diet and exercise routines. If expectations and lifestyle goals are not compatible, the couple in question might decide that their relationship is not salvageable.
Breakdown in Communication
When you are in a relationship, honest and open communication with your partner is vitally important. One mistake that many people make is believing that marriage is the “end goal” of their relationship and that once they reach that point, their relationship is essentially as developed as it ever will be. With this idea in mind, they might begin to let the lines of communication close a bit. Instead of making decisions together or openly discussing their feelings regarding disagreements or annoyances, their conversations slowly turn to blind criticism, pleading, or even threats.
Different Views on Money
Money is a surprisingly common reason that drives divorce. There are a few different issues that tend to arise in marriage regarding financial issues. Some individuals are a bit chagrined to discover that they have very different spending habits, for example. Perhaps one partner is a “spender” who handles their money quite loosely while the other prefers to save for any emergencies that might crop up in the future. This might not seem like such a big deal, but it can quickly lead to significant disagreements that create a lot of stress and conflict for both parties.
Lack of Affection
Affection is an incredibly important part of any healthy relationship. And while this might mean different things to different people, a dearth of affectionate words or actions can quickly lead to an unhappy and unfulfilling marriage. Partners who are unable or unwilling to maintain intimacy even on an emotional level are setting themselves up for a frustrating and heartbreaking breakdown of their relationship. This doesn’t mean that you have to be overly affectionate or do a set number of “affectionate things” every day, but rather that you should be careful that the mutual appreciation and desire to make each other happy doesn’t fade from the relationship entirely.
If you are struggling with any of the above and have questions about your legal options, reach out to the law offices of Walters Law Group. Our experienced attorneys and staff are happy to help answer any questions or set up a consultation.