Couples who have been together for more than 20-30 years are suddenly facing the prospect of spending their elder years as single persons. The divorce rate among the 50+ crowd has more than doubled in the last two decades.
Researchers at Bowling Green State University in Ohio have dubbed this change in the institution of marriage a “gray divorce revolution.” It’s not just happening in America. Rather, it has become a worldwide phenomenon that is expected to continue to rise as more and more people age.
What is driving this gray divorce revolution?
There are several factors that are behind the rapidly increasing divorce rate among the 50+ age group:
- Couples who are unhappy and are not willing to continue living in a bubble of make-believe marital bliss.
- Empty nesters see no reason to continue to stay together once the children have grown and flown.
- Couples clash over differences in financial outlooks, parenting, and housekeeping.
- Infidelity and addiction cause irreparable damages to a once-strong marriage.
- One spouse finally tires of the mental, verbal, and physical abuse that the other spouse generously dishes out.
No matter what the reason, going through a gray divorce will be challenging at best. Should you find yourself in this group, you can expect to experience a myriad of emotional, physical, financial, and social effects. Trying to go through this challenging time in your life by yourself will only make things harder.
Having a support system in place can help you navigate through the murky waters of a gray divorce. Talking with friends and supportive family members can be very helpful. Most importantly, make sure that you seek experienced legal guidance to help you through this tumultuous time.
