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10 Interesting Facts about Marriage and Divorce

Marriage and divorce are both changing. While growing up with the goal of getting married, having kids and owning a house in the suburbs used to be the norm, now more adults are choosing alternatives.

Divorce stigma, while still present, is fading away as it's becoming a common choice. Some are deciding not to marry at all, and many are opting not to have children. Still, many desire a happy, fulfilling marriage or at least a committed partnership.

No matter what the fate of the institution of marriage is, here are some facts about modern love.

1. In the United States, the average length of a first marriage that ends in divorce is eight years.

2. The most common reason for divorce is communication problems between spouses, followed by cheating and financial issues.

3. People who marry in their mid-20s or later in life are less likely to get divorced than those who marry in their late teens or early 20s.

4. The divorce rate for couples who live together before marriage is higher than for those who do not.

5. Couples who have destination weddings are significantly less likely to divorce than those who have traditional weddings.

6. The risk of divorce is higher for couples with children, especially if they have a child within the first year of marriage.

7. The length of a marriage is not a reliable predictor of the likelihood of divorce. Some couples who have been married for decades still get divorced.

8. Divorce was illegal in some countries, such as Italy, until the 1970s.

9. The divorce rate is higher in the South than in any other U.S. region.

10. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is $33,000, while the average cost of a divorce is $15,000 to $20,000, and legal fees appear to be rising more than 7% per year.

Source

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in 2023? Forbes.
The Rising Cost of Getting a Divorce. (November 2022). Wall Street Journal.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Head of Content
Communication, Relationships, Personal Growth, Mental Health
As Hello Divorce's Head of Content, Katie is dedicated to breaking down the stress and mess of divorce into clear, helpful content that delivers hope rather than fear. Katie most often writes about the emotional toll of divorce, self-care and mindfulness, and effective communication. Katie has 20+ years of experience in content development and management, specializing in compelling consumer-facing content that helps people live better lives. She has a Master's in Media Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Katie lives in Texas with her husband and two adorable cats, and you can find her hiking and bird watching in her free time.