You may have heard that a lower level of education means that divorce is more likely. The divorce rates among couples in this demographic are simply higher, so people have drawn a parallel.
But it’s not always clear why these two things are related. The number of grades you’ve finished in high school or college shouldn’t really impact how happy you are in your marriage. So why do these two things often find themselves being considered together?
Couples get married later
One reason that this can happen is that getting married earlier also leads to higher divorce rates. Couples who get married right after high school are going to be four or five years younger than couples who get married after college. The longer someone stays in school, if they’re not married during school, they’re simply putting off the wedding until they’re older. They may not intend to do this, but it does increase the stability of that future marriage.
Couples make more money
Another thing to consider is that financial stress is one of the leading causes of divorce, and couples who don’t have enough money may run into more stress than those who are well-off. Although it is certainly not true that everyone with a college degree earns more than everyone without, the general trend suggests that couples with a higher level of education will earn more. This can reduce their financial stress, which may help to protect their marriage.
Of course, couples with any income level and who got married at any age can certainly get divorced. If you find yourself in this position, just make sure you know about the legal options at your disposal.