EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIVORCE – FACTS,
STATISTICS, AND RATES
If you spend enough time perusing the internet, you’ll find
no shortage of studies, statistics, and facts about divorce.
There seems to be a study looking into almost every possible
factor that might affect marriages and lead to divorce. These studies have yielded
some extremely interesting and – in some cases – downright shocking information
about divorce in both the United
States and the rest of the world.
Just in case you don’t have 20 hours to spare (it may or may
not have taken this long to compile this list), we have compiled a nearly
exhaustive list with every divorce statistic, study, and fact that we could
find. As we move through 2016 towards 2017, here is everything you need
to know – and quite possibly more- about divorce.
DIVORCE RATE IN THE UNITED STATES
1. As of 2016, both marriage rates AND divorce rates in the US are
decreasing.
2. The marriage rate in the United States is currently 6.8 per
1,000 total populations.
3. The divorce rate in the U.S. is 3.2 per 1,000
population (as of 2014 the latest year of data from the CDC. (With 44 states
and D.C. reporting) This is known as the “crude divorce rate”. Although useful
for describing changes in divorce rates over time, the crude divorce rate does
not provide accurate information on the percentage of first marriages that end
in divorce.
Divorce rate per 1000 married women.
4. Currently, the divorce rate per 1000 married women
is 16.9. Many experts feel that this is a much more accurate measure
of true divorce rate than the crude rate.
5. The divorce rate per 1000 married women is nearly
double that of 1960, but down from the all time high of 22.6 in the early
1980s.
6. Almost 50 percent of all marriages in the United States
will end in divorce or separation.
7. Researchers estimate that 41 percent of all first
marriages end in divorce.
8. 60 percent of second marriages end in divorce.
9. 73 percent of all third marriages end in divorce.
10. The United
States has the 6th highest divorce rate in
the world. Here
is a chart of the top twenty:
HOW OFTEN DIVORCE TAKES
PLACE IN THE U.S.
11. Every 13 seconds, there is one divorce in America .
12. That equates to 277 divorces per hour, 6,646 divorces
per day, 46,523 divorces per week, and 2,419,196 divorces per year. That means:
13. There are 9 divorces in the time it takes for a couple
to recite their wedding vows (2 minutes).
14. More than 554 divorces occur during your typical
romantic comedy movie (2 hours).
15. 1,385 divorces happen during the average wedding
reception (5 hours).
16. There are 19,353,568 divorces over the course of an
average first marriage that ends in divorce (8 years).
17. Over a 40 year period, 67 percent of first marriages
terminate.
18. Among all Americans 18 years of age or older, whether
they have been married or not, 25 percent have gone through a marital split.
19. 15 percent of adult women in the United States
are divorced or separated today, compared with less than one percent in 1920.
20. The average
first marriage that ends in divorce lasts about 8 years.
Median duration of first marriages that end in divorce:
Males: 7.8 years
Females: 7.9 years
Median duration of second marriages:
Males: 7.3 years
Females: 6.8 years
21. People wait an average of three years after a divorce to
remarry (if they remarry at all).
22. In 2011, only 29 out of every 1000 of divorced or
widowed women remarried.
WHO IS GETTING DIVORCE, WHEN, AND WHY?
Who is getting divorced?
23. The average age for couples going through their first
divorce is 30 years old.
24. 60 percent of all divorces involve individuals aged 25
to 39.
25. Wives are the ones who most often file for divorce at 66
percent on average. That figure has soared to nearly 75 percent in some years.
26. Professions with highest divorce rate:
- Dancers – 43
- Bartender s- 38.4
- Massage Therapists – 38.2
- Gaming Cage Workers – 34.6
- Gaming Service Workers – 31.3
- Food and Tobacco Machine Operators – 29.7
- Telephone Operators – 29.3
- Textile Machine Operators – 29
- Nurses – 28.9
- Home Care Aids – 28.7
27. Professions with lowest divorce rate:
- Medical Scientists – 9.11
- Other Scientists – 8.79
- Legislators – 8.74
- Audiologists – 7.77
- Dentists – 7.75
- Farmers – 7.63
- Podiatrists – 6.81
- Clergy – 5.61
- Optomitrists – 4.01
- Agricultural Engineers – 1.78
28. For instance, the groups with the most prolific
experience of marriage ending in divorce are downscale adults (adults making
less than $20,000
annually) (39 percent), Baby Boomers (38 percent), those aligned with a
non-Christian faith (38 percent), African-Americans (36 percent), and people
who consider themselves to be liberal on social and political matters (37 percent).
29. Among the population segments with the lowest likelihood
of having been divorced subsequent to marriage are Catholics (28 percent),
evangelicals (26 percent), upscale adults (adults making more than $75000 annually) (22 percent), Asians
(20 percent) and those who deem themselves to be conservative on social and political matters (28%).
30. Divorce Rate By for women by Ethinicity chart:
Military divorce.
31. According to the Pentagon, the military divorce rate is
3.4 percent in the 2013 fiscal year. However, the rate was significantly higher
in military women at 7.2 percent.
32. The Divorce rate among enlisted troops was 3.8 percent.
Among officers the divorce rate was 1.9 percent.
33. The Air Force has the highest divorce rate among
enlisted troops of any military branch at 4.3 percent.
34. The divorce rate among U.S. Navy Seals is over 90
percent.
Divorce rate in specific population segments.
35. The divorce rate among people 50 and older has doubled
in the past 20 years, according to research by Bowling Green State
University
36. The divorce rate among couples where one spouse is in
jail or prison for one year or more is 80 percent for men and close to 100
percent for women.
Same sex divorce statistics.
37. About 1 percent of married same-sex couples get divorced
each year, while about 2 percent of married straight couples divorce.
38. According to figures from the UK’s Office
of National Statistics, lesbian couples are nearly twice as likely to
end a marriage or civil union than gay male couples are.
39. In the United
States , the divorce rate is 3.1 per 1000
people that allow same-sex marriage, and 3.9 in states that prohibit it.
When do people divorce?
40. The average length of a marriage that ends in divorce is
8 years.
41. January is considered “divorce month”. People start
looking for information before the New Year starts, but they can’t do much
until the attorneys are back in the office. January 12-16 seems to be the magic
week for filings.
Why people are divorcing in the United States .
42. Lack of commitment is the most common reason given by
divorcing couples according to a recent national survey. Here are the reasons
given and their percentages:
- Lack of commitment 73%
- Argue too much 56%
- Infidelity 55%
- Married too young 46%
- Unrealistic expectations 45%
- Lack of equality in the relationship 44%
- Lack of preparation for marriage 41%
- Abuse 25%
(Respondents often cited more that one reason, therefore the
percentages add up to much more than 100 percent)
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE MORE OR LESS LIKELY TO DIVORCE?
Your age.
43. 48 percent of those who marry before the age of 18 are
likely to divorce within 10 years, compared to 25 percent of those who marry
after the age of 25.
44. 60 percent of couples married between the age of 20 -25
will end in divorce.
45. Those who wait to marry until they are over 25 years old
are 24 percent less likely to get divorced.
If you or your partner have been married before.
46. If both you and your partner have had previous
marriages, you are 90 percent more likely to get divorced than if this had been
the first marriage for both of you.
Religion and divorce.
47. If a person has strong religious beliefs, the risk of
divorce is 14 percent less and having no religious affiliation makes you 14
percent more likely to get divorced.
48. If you’re an evangelical Christian adult who has been
married, there’s a 26 percent likelihood that you’ve been divorced—compared to
a 28 percent chance for Catholics and a 38 percent chance for non-Christians.
49. According to Dr. Jennifer Glass, one of the strongest
factors predicting divorce rates (per 1000 married couples) is the
concentration of conservative or evangelical Protestants in that county.
The correlation can be seen on this figure: (insert divorce counties
image)
Education and intelligence.
51. Individuals who have attended college have a 13 percent
lower risk of divorce.
52. Those with “below average” IQs are 50 percent more
likely to be divorced than those with “above average” IQs.
Political affiliation.
53. Political affiliation and it’s impact on divorce:
Conservative 28 percent, Liberal 37 percent, Moderate 33 percent.
54. If you live in a red (Republican) state, you are 27
percent more likely to get divorced than if you live in a blue (Democrat)
state.
COHABITATION – IF YOU LIVED WITH YOUR PARTNER BEFORE YOU GOT
MARRIED
55. 60 percent of cohabiting couples will eventually marry.
However, living together prior to marriage can increase the chance of getting
divorced by as much as 40 percent.
56. If you are a female serial cohabiter – a woman who has
lived with more than one partner before your first marriage – then you’re 40
percent more likely to get divorced than women who have never done so.
Where you met.
57. According to this study at least, if you met your spouse
in high school, college, or grad school, you are 41 percent less likely to get
divorced.
58. The other major difference was couples who met in bars
were 24 percent more likely to get divorced than expected.
Your sexual history.
59. Women who lost their virginity as a teenager are more
than twice as likely to get divorce in the first 5 years of marriage as women
who waited until age 18 or older.
60. A 2011 study at the University of Iowa
61. When compared to women who began sexual activity in
their early 20s, girls who initiated sexual activity at ages 13 or 14 were less
than half as likely to be in stable marriages in their 30s. – (in this
study a stable marriage was defined as a marriage of over five years).
The harmful effects of early sexual activity and
multiple sexual partners among women.
62. Women with 6 or more pre marital sexual partners are
almost 3 times less likely to be in a stable marriage.
Where you live impacts your likelihood to be divorced.
63. According to the CDC, the five states with the highest
divorce rates are:
64. The five states with the lowest divorce rate are:
65. Arkansas Arkansas
are twice as likely to be married 3 or more times than the national
average.
Your habits, your marriage.
66. The risk of divorce was said to be almost doubled – 97
per cent higher – when the mother went out to work but her husband made a
“minimal contribution” to housework and childcare.
67. In 2011, Facebook was cited as a major contributor to
1/3 of divorce petitions examined by one U.K. study.
68. In a study by the University of Rochester
69. Pornography addiction was cited as a factor in 56
percent of divorces according to a recent study.
Your parent’s relationship.
70. If your parents are happily married, your risk of divorce
decreases by 14 percent.
71. If your parents married others after divorcing, you’re
91 percent more likely to get divorced.
72. According to Nicholas Wolfinger in “Understanding the
Divorce Cycle”, the risk of divorce is 50 percent higher when one spouse comes
from a divorced home and 200 percent higher when both partners do.
73. In addition, children of divorce are 50 percent more
likely to marry another child of divorce.
74. Certain studies have shown that daughters of
divorced parents have a 60 percent higher divorce rate in marriages than
children of non-divorced parents while sons have a 35 percent higher rate.
If you have kids or not.
75. The divorce rate for couples with children is as much as
40 percent lower than for those without children.
76. Half of all children in the United States will witness the
ending of a parent’s marriage.
77. Of this half, close to 50 percent will also see the
breakup of a parent’s second marriage.
78. If you have twins or triplets, your marriage is 17
percent more likely to end in divorce than if your children are not multiples.
79. If you have a daughter, you’re nearly 5 percent more
likely to divorce than if you have a son.
80. When there are as many as three daughters that
difference spiked to 10 percent.
81. Fathers are significantly -3 percent – less likely to be
living with their children if they have daughters versus sons.
82. Having a baby before marriage can increase risk of
divorce by 24 percent.
your finances and their effect on divorce rates
83. An annual income of over $50,000 can decrease risk of
divorce by as much as 30% versus those with an income of under $25k.
84. Feeling that one’s spouse spent money foolishly
increased the likelihood of divorce 45 percent for both men and women.
85. Couples that argue about finances at least once a week
are 30 more likely to get divorced.
86. The same study also found that couples with no assets at
the beginning of a three-year period are 70 percent more likely to divorce by
the end of that period than couples with $10,000 in assets.
Addiction, mental illness and divorce.
87. Couples are an astonishing 76-95% more likely to get
divorced if only one of them smokes. The amount increases when the wife is the
partner with the habit.
88. While couples who both smoke have it a bit better, a
1998 study found they are still 53% more likely than non-smoking couples to end
their marriage.
89. Each liter of alcohol consumer raises the chance of
divorce by 20%! Factor in that the average American drinks 9.4 liters of
Alcohol per year, raising their divorce likely hood by 188%!
90. According to a 9 year study by the University of
Buffalo, couples who have similar heavy drinking patterns – either both are
heavy drinkers or both are not- are more likely to stay together.
91. However, if one spouse is a heavy drinker and the other
is not, they are 60 percent more likely to get divorced.
92. A multi-national study of mental disorders, marriage and
divorce published in 2011 found that a sample of 18 mental disorders all
increased the likelihood of divorce — ranging from a 20 percent increase
to an 80 percent increase in the divorce rate.
Addictions and major depression were the
highest factors, with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) also significant.
93. A recent study of divorce petitions found that nearly 15
percent of them cited video game addiction as a major factor in the decision to
get divorced.
DIVORCE, CHILD SUPPORT AND CHILD CUSTODY
94. Forty-three percent of children in the United States are being raised
without their fathers.
95. When the parents are happily married, the risk of
divorce of their children decreases by 14 percent.
96. 90% of divorced mothers have custody of their children.
97. Over 79 percent of custodial mothers receive a child
support award, while just fewer than 30 percent of custodial fathers receive
one.
98. 65% divorced mothers receive no child support.
99. Over 46 percent of non-custodial mothers completely
default on child support, compared to only 27 percent of non-custodial fathers.
FRIEND’S AND RELATIVE’S IMPACT ON DIVORCE
100. If a close friend gets divorced, you are 147% more
likely to become divorced and 33% more likely if a friend of a friend is
divorced.
101. Studies at the University
of California and Brown University
102. These same studies also found that people with divorced
sisters or brothers are 22% more likely to get divorced than if siblings are
not divorced.
103. In a large-scale Canadian survey, 19 percent of men
reported a significant drop in social support post divorce.
THE FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF DIVORCE
104. The average total cost of divorce in the United States
is $15,000.
105. Families with children that were not poor before the
divorce see their income drop as much as 50 percent.
106. Almost 50 percent of the parents with children that are
going through a divorce move into poverty after the divorce.
107. 27% of recently divorced women had less than $25,000 in
annual household income compared with 17% of recently divorced men.
108. 60% of people under poverty guidelines are divorced
women and children.
THE TOLL A DIVORCE TAKES
109. A new study entitled “Divorce and Death” shows that
broken marriages can kill at the same rate as smoking cigarettes. Indications
that the risk of dying is a full 23 percent higher among divorcées than married
people.
110. One researcher determined that a single divorce costs
state and federal governments about $30,000, based on such things as the higher
use of food stamps and public housing as well as increased bankruptcies and
juvenile delinquency.
111. The nation’s 1.4 million divorces in 2002 are estimated
to have cost the taxpayers more than $30 billion.
112. An article in the New
York Times stated that – of couples who seek marriage counseling – 38
percent end up divorced just two years later.
BONUS -- The five most expensive divorces of all time.
According to an article on Divorce Help 360 here are the most expensive divorces
of all time as well as the most expensive celebrity divorces of all time:
- Harold and Sue Ann Hamm – $5.3 billion
- Rupert and Anna Murdoch – $1.7 billion
- Bernie and Slavica Ecclestone – $1.2 billion
- Adnan Khashoggi and Soraya Khashoggi – $875 million
- Craig and Wendy McCaw – $460 million
Most expensive celebrity divorces.
- Mel and Robyn Gibson – $425 million
- Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver – $250-$300 million
- Michael and Juanita Jordan – $168 million
Can I Get a Continuance of my Court Date?
“G.S. sec. 1A-1, Rule 40(b) provides that “[n]o continuance shall be granted except upon application to the court. A continuance may be granted only for good cause shown and upon such terms and conditions as justice may require.” A motion for a continuance is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, and is generally not favored. A court’s ruling on a motion for a continuance is not reviewable absent a clear abuse of discretion. The burden of showing sufficient grounds for a continuance rests with the party seeking it. Id. (Citations omitted).”
The burden of proof rests on the moving party to demonstrate sufficient grounds justifying the continuance. See May v. City of Durham, 136 N.C.App. 578, 581, 525 S.E.2d 223, 227. When ruling on a motion to continue the trial judge must consider not only the grounds given for the motion, but “whether the moving party has acted with diligence and in good faith, and may consider facts of record as well as facts within his judicial knowledge.” See Draughon v. Harnett County Bd. of Educ., 166 N.C. App. 464, 466, 602 S.E.2d 721, 723-24 (2004).
In Pickard Roofing Co., 94 N.C.App. at 691, 381 S.E.2d at 343, on the day before trial the court denied defendant’s motion for continuance. Defendant proceeded to trial Pro Se, and the court found in favor of the plaintiff. Id. at 691. The appeals court affirmed the trial court’s denial of defendant’s motion for continuance. Id. The court compared its facts to those of Fungaroli v. Fungaroli, 40 N.C.App. 397, 252 S.E.2d 849 (1979) in which the appeals court affirmed the trial court’s denial of the plaintiff’s motion for a continuance. In Fungaroli the trial court allowed plaintiff’s attorney to withdraw one day before trial, and it concluded that “plaintiff had sufficient time to employ new counsel” despite having only a few days to hire new counsel for trial. Id. at 397.
In summary, you may or may not get a continuance. When you ask for one, do it in writing in advance and attach an Affidavit under oath stating the reasons that you need a postponement of the hearing or trial.
Disclaimer: Seek legal advice from an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction
OFFICE OF LEON R. KOZIOL, J.D.
TO: ALL MEDIA AND INTERESTED PARTIES
DATE: November 17, 2010
FROM: CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE LEON R. KOZIOL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In what may be described as the most sweeping challenge to date upon our nation’s draconian child control laws surrounding Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, New York Civil Rights Advocate Leon R.
TO: ALL MEDIA AND INTERESTED PARTIES
DATE: November 17, 2010
FROM: CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE LEON R. KOZIOL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In what may be described as the most sweeping challenge to date upon our nation’s draconian child control laws surrounding Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, New York Civil Rights Advocate Leon R.
SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
HOW DID CHILDREN OF DIVORCE GET STUCK WITH THE VISITATION PLAN THAT AFFORDS THEM ACCESS TO THEIR NON-RESIDENTIAL PARENT ONLY ONE NIGHT DURING THE WEEK AND EVERY OTHER WEEK-END?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the research that supports such a schedule? Where is the data that confirms that such a plan is in the best interest of the child?
Well, reader, you can spend your time from now until eternity researching the literature, and YOU WILL NOT DISCOVER ANY SUPPORTING DATA for the typical visitation arrangement with the non-residential parent! The reality is that this arrangement is based solely on custom. And just like the short story, "The Lottery," in which the prizewinner is stoned to death, the message is that deeds and judgments are frequently arrived at based on nothing more than habit, fantasy, prejudice, and yes, on "junk science."
This family therapist upholds the importance of both parents playing an active and substantial role in their children's lives----especially in situations when the parents are apart. In order to support the goal for each parent to provide a meaningfully and considerable involvement in the lives of their children, I affirm that the resolution to custody requires an arrangement for joint legal custody and physical custody that maximizes the time with the non-residential----with the optimal arrangement being 50-50, whenever practical. It is my professional opinion that the customary visitation arrangement for non-residential parents to visit every other weekend and one night during the week is not sufficient to maintain a consequential relationship with their children. Although I have heard matrimonial attorneys, children's attorneys, and judges assert that the child needs the consistency of the same residence, I deem this assumption to be nonsense. I cannot be convinced that the consistency with one's bed trumps consistency with a parent!
Should the reader question how such an arrangement can be judiciously implemented which maximizes the child's time---even in a 50-50 arrangement----with the non-residential parent, I direct the reader to the book, Mom's House, Dads House, by the Isolina Ricci, PhD.
Indeed, the research that we do have supports the serious consequences to children when the father, who is generally the non-residential parent, does not play a meaningful role in lives of his children. The book, Fatherneed, (2000) by Dr. Kyle Pruitt, summarizes the research at Yale University about the importance of fathers to their children. And another post on this page summarizes an extensive list of other research.
Children of divorce or separation of their parents previously had each parent 100% of the time and obviously cannot have the same arrangement subsequent to their parents' separation. But it makes no sense to this family therapist that the result of parental separation is that the child is accorded only 20% time with one parent and 80% with the other. What rational person could possibly justify this?
PRO SE RIGHTS:
ReplyDeleteBrotherhood of Trainmen v. Virginia ex rel. Virginia State Bar, 377 U.S. 1; v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335; Argersinger v. Hamlin, Sheriff 407 U.S. 425 ~ Litigants can be assisted by unlicensed laymen during judicial proceedings.
Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41 at 48 (1957) ~ "Following the simple guide of rule 8(f) that all pleadings shall be so construed as to do substantial justice"... "The federal rules reject the approach that pleading is a game of skill in which one misstep by counsel may be decisive to the outcome and accept the principle that the purpose of pleading is to facilitate a proper decision on the merits." The court also cited Rule 8(f) FRCP, which holds that all pleadings shall be construed to do substantial justice.
Davis v. Wechler, 263 U.S. 22, 24; Stromberb v. California, 283 U.S. 359; NAACP v. Alabama, 375 U.S. 449 ~ "The assertion of federal rights, when plainly and reasonably made, are not to be defeated under the name of local practice."
Elmore v. McCammon (1986) 640 F. Supp. 905 ~ "... the right to file a lawsuit pro se is one of the most important rights under the constitution and laws."
Federal Rules of Civil Procedures, Rule 17, 28 USCA "Next Friend" ~ A next friend is a person who represents someone who is unable to tend to his or her own interest.
Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519 (1972) ~ "Allegations such as those asserted by petitioner, however inartfully pleaded, are sufficient"... "which we hold to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers."
Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1959); Picking v. Pennsylvania R. Co., 151 Fed 2nd 240; Pucket v. Cox, 456 2nd 233 ~ Pro se pleadings are to be considered without regard to technicality; pro se litigants' pleadings are not to be held to the same high standards of perfection as lawyers.
Maty v. Grasselli Chemical Co., 303 U.S. 197 (1938) ~ "Pleadings are intended to serve as a means of arriving at fair and just settlements of controversies between litigants. They should not raise barriers which prevent the achievement of that end. Proper pleading is important, but its importance consists in its effectiveness as a means to accomplish the end of a just judgment."
NAACP v. Button, 371 U.S. 415); United Mineworkers of America v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715; and Johnson v. Avery, 89 S. Ct. 747 (1969) ~ Members of groups who are competent nonlawyers can assist other members of the group achieve the goals of the group in court without being charged with "unauthorized practice of law."
Picking v. Pennsylvania Railway, 151 F.2d. 240, Third Circuit Court of Appeals ~ The plaintiff's civil rights pleading was 150 pages and described by a federal judge as "inept". Nevertheless, it was held "Where a plaintiff pleads pro se in a suit for protection of civil rights, the Court should endeavor to construe Plaintiff's Pleadings without regard to technicalities."
Puckett v. Cox, 456 F. 2d 233 (1972) (6th Cir. USCA) ~ It was held that a pro se complaint requires a less stringent reading than one drafted by a lawyer per Justice Black in Conley v. Gibson (see case listed above, Pro Se Rights Section).
Roadway Express v. Pipe, 447 U.S. 752 at 757 (1982) ~ "Due to sloth, inattention or desire to seize tactical advantage, lawyers have long engaged in dilatory practices... the glacial pace of much litigation breeds frustration with the Federal Courts and ultimately, disrespect for the law."
Sherar v. Cullen, 481 F. 2d 946 (1973) ~ "There can be no sanction or penalty imposed upon one because of his exercise of Constitutional Rights."
Schware v. Board of Examiners, United State Reports 353 U.S. pages 238, 239. ~ "The practice of law cannot be licensed by any state/State."
Sims v. Aherns, 271 SW 720 (1925) ~ "The practice of law is an occupation of common right."