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Older People and Divorce
- By James Walsh
- Published 03/18/2008
- Divorce
- Unrated
These days, the qualities such as patience, trust and commitment that are required to keep a marriage together, are no longer present in a marriage.
If you think that the divorce rate is high only because of young and impetuous couples, think again. While recent studies have proved that the divorce rate has increased by 9% over the past few years, a major part of this percentage contribution comes from older couples.
Research indicates that couples these days who have been married for more than 30 years are twice as likely to divorce as they were around 10 years back. While older as well as younger couples contribute towards the increased divorce rate, their reasons for divorcing are not very alike. The dynamics of divorce changes considerably as people get older.
How Does the Dynamics of Divorce Change For Older People?
Traditionally, divorce used to be frowned upon by the society. The stigma attached to divorce prevented the people from seeking divorce. In addition, women used to be financially dependent on their husbands and did not know how to support themselves after a divorce. Since the divorce laws in those days also favoured the men, many women opted not to take up an already lost battle. However, a lot has changed since those days.
Not only is divorce more accepted by the society, but also the women are much more financially liberated. Older people do not take the decision to divorce overnight. Since they have spent a considerable amount of time with their spouse, they are more aware of their decision. Often, it may take many years for an older couple to be completely sure of their decision to divorce before they actually divorce each other.
The most common reason for older couples opting for a divorce is the increase in average lifespan of an individual. While traditionally people used to continue to tolerate the torture offered in a bad marriage by consoling themselves that they only have to survive for another decade or so, couples these days are well aware that the average age has increased and they are no longer willing to endure a bad marriage for the rest of their lives.
It used to be very common for olde
r women to keep tolerating a loveless marriage. However, that was in the past. Now, even older women feel that they deserve another chance to find love and happiness. Older people are no longer confined to their homes as they used to be; they are actively involved in some or the other activity and take care of their physical appearance to look as well as feel youthful. Therefore, older people refuse to keep hanging on to a bad marriage for the heck of it.
The bitterness that is associated with divorce for younger couples may not be there for older couples because older people in a marriage are well aware of all the marital troubles. However, there are times when older men seek younger women when they go through a mid-life crisis. In such cases, the divorce can be bitter.
In What Way is Divorce Easier or Tougher For Older Couples?
While younger couples are more concerned about issues related to finances and custody of their children, older couples do not have to worry about these issues. Therefore, older couples are far better off than their younger counterparts because issues related to finances and child custody can not only be time and energy-consuming but can also lead to a lot of bitterness amongst the divorcing couple.
Older people tend to have their finances in place and are not concerned about managing their household after divorce or visitation rights. Older people, because of their age and experience, know how to deal with their emotional issues. Therefore, it is very uncommon to see constant fights or bickering in older couple during the divorce process.
Older people have a well-established social network that they can bank upon during this time of crisis. Therefore, it becomes easier for them to get over the divorce. In addition, older couples are more patient in life. Therefore, instead of stressing themselves out because of the situation, they tend to find solutions to address the issues.
Since the older couples usually stay married for a long time, divorce can seem odd because they get used to having each other around all the time. For that reason, they may find it harder to move on with their lives or find new partners.
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you would like more information on how to get a quickie Divorce see
http://www.quickie-divorce.com
If you think that the divorce rate is high only because of young and impetuous couples, think again. While recent studies have proved that the divorce rate has increased by 9% over the past few years, a major part of this percentage contribution comes from older couples.
Research indicates that couples these days who have been married for more than 30 years are twice as likely to divorce as they were around 10 years back. While older as well as younger couples contribute towards the increased divorce rate, their reasons for divorcing are not very alike. The dynamics of divorce changes considerably as people get older.
How Does the Dynamics of Divorce Change For Older People?
Traditionally, divorce used to be frowned upon by the society. The stigma attached to divorce prevented the people from seeking divorce. In addition, women used to be financially dependent on their husbands and did not know how to support themselves after a divorce. Since the divorce laws in those days also favoured the men, many women opted not to take up an already lost battle. However, a lot has changed since those days.
Not only is divorce more accepted by the society, but also the women are much more financially liberated. Older people do not take the decision to divorce overnight. Since they have spent a considerable amount of time with their spouse, they are more aware of their decision. Often, it may take many years for an older couple to be completely sure of their decision to divorce before they actually divorce each other.
The most common reason for older couples opting for a divorce is the increase in average lifespan of an individual. While traditionally people used to continue to tolerate the torture offered in a bad marriage by consoling themselves that they only have to survive for another decade or so, couples these days are well aware that the average age has increased and they are no longer willing to endure a bad marriage for the rest of their lives.
It used to be very common for olde
The bitterness that is associated with divorce for younger couples may not be there for older couples because older people in a marriage are well aware of all the marital troubles. However, there are times when older men seek younger women when they go through a mid-life crisis. In such cases, the divorce can be bitter.
In What Way is Divorce Easier or Tougher For Older Couples?
While younger couples are more concerned about issues related to finances and custody of their children, older couples do not have to worry about these issues. Therefore, older couples are far better off than their younger counterparts because issues related to finances and child custody can not only be time and energy-consuming but can also lead to a lot of bitterness amongst the divorcing couple.
Older people tend to have their finances in place and are not concerned about managing their household after divorce or visitation rights. Older people, because of their age and experience, know how to deal with their emotional issues. Therefore, it is very uncommon to see constant fights or bickering in older couple during the divorce process.
Older people have a well-established social network that they can bank upon during this time of crisis. Therefore, it becomes easier for them to get over the divorce. In addition, older couples are more patient in life. Therefore, instead of stressing themselves out because of the situation, they tend to find solutions to address the issues.
Since the older couples usually stay married for a long time, divorce can seem odd because they get used to having each other around all the time. For that reason, they may find it harder to move on with their lives or find new partners.
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you would like more information on how to get a quickie Divorce see
http://www.quickie-divorce.com