You may have heard that gray divorce has been consistently on the rise in the United States. This is especially notable because other age groups have seen a decline in divorce rates.
This leads people to wonder why it is that those who are 50 years of age and older are getting divorced at a higher rate than other Americans. Let’s take a look at a few potential reasons.
Shifting perspectives
One potential reason is simply that public perceptions regarding divorce have changed a fair amount over the last few decades. Some couples may have viewed divorce as something they never would pursue 20 years ago, but now things have changed and they’re willing to move forward with the process.
Leaving children
Another potential reason is that the children tend to leave the home when they turn 18 years of age, whether they get their own place or go to college. No matter how it happens, this shifts the dynamic for their parents, and some couples find it difficult to go back to simply being married couples. They were so involved with being parents that they lost touch with each other.
They’ve drifted apart
It also just takes time for some couples to feel themselves drift apart. This can lead to divorce even when there’s nothing dramatic that occurs, such as an affair. Since they are older and have presumably been married longer, these “gray” couples may be more likely to see that type of change.
If you’re considering a divorce for any of these reasons or another, just be sure you know what legal rights and options you have.