Studies seek to determine why couples divorce

When it comes to marriages, no two are alike. What works for one couple could spell the end for another. Because divorces in the United States are more common now than they were half a century ago it is not surprising that there is a curiosity about why this is the case.

The studies

One study, which involved more than 2,000 people and 274 divorces, spanned 17 years. Between 1980 and 1997, study participants answered questions about their marriages. Building off the information collected in that study, several years after it ended, other researchers set out to categorize that information. Where men were concerned, incompatibility ranked the highest on the list of reasons for divorce. On the other hand, 25.2 percent of women indicated infidelity was a cause if the demise of marriage.

Why are divorces more common now?

Some experts in the country believe changes in gender roles are the reason why divorce is so much more common now than it once was. Others cite independence. The American Journal of Sociology addressed the matter in a study it conducted in 2011. It determined societal changes that make it possible for women to work to financially support themselves plays a big role. Previously, women in this same situation may have wanted to get out of their relationships, but failed to do so for financial reasons.

What you should know if you are planning on divorcing

Whatever your primary concern in the course of your divorce, planning ahead is vital. Consulting with a lawyer before filing for divorce could provide information about things you can do and steps you can take that might make a difference in the final outcome of the process.