Fewer Divorces in Later Marriages

 Posted on August 27, 2012 in Division of Property

While the number of Americans who get divorced have continued to go up, the divorce rate has actually fallen in recent years. According to a 2011 dissertation by Harvard University student Dana Rotz, "American divorce rates rose from the 1950s to the 1970s, peaked around 1980, and have fallen ever since." This isn't, she argues, because Americans have learned to love and hold onto lasting relationships better today than in years past, but because, in part, the median age of marriage has increased. The sociological implications of getting married later lead to longer-lasting relationships.

According to the Huffington Post, the average age of newlyweds are getting older. "Trends show that people are waiting longer to get married. In 1960," the publication reports, "the average age of newlyweds was 23 years old; in 2009 it was 28." Pop Goes the Week editor Brian Balthazar told the Huffington Post that a good reason for this is that the generation getting married right now spent their childhood watching their parents or friends' parents go through nasty divorces. According to the Post, "being older generally means you're in a better financial situation, have more education under your belt, and are more mature."

According to a report written by M.D. Bramlett and W.D. Mosher, "59 percent of marriages for women under the age of 18 end in divorce within 15 years. The divorce rate drops to 36 percent for those married at age 20 or older. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 60 percent of marriages of couples ages 20 to 25 end in divorce, while only 50 percent of marriages in which the bride is 25 do.

These are hopeful trends, but the fact of the matter is that nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, no matter how old the bride and groom were. If you are interested in seeking a divorce, an experienced divorce lawyer can help you sort out the details. Contact a dedicated Chicago-area divorce attorney today.

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