Are Younger Couples Getting Divorced More Often?

There's been some recent discussion about marriage statistics and trends. According to government statistics, the changes in marital patterns from 1960 to 2016 are significant. The median age for marriage in 1960 was 20.3 for women and 22.8 for men, compared with 27.4 for women and 29.5 for men in 2016, an increase of about seven years. Divorce attorneys are noticing a decrease in divorces of younger couples. Let's take a closer look.

People Are Waiting to Get Married

It's not just divorce attorneys whose services aren't needed; wedding planners are also seeing a dip or delay. As Millennials wait longer to get married, they appear to be staying married once they take the plunge. Getting married at an older age means that couples are better educated, further along in their careers, and generally more financially secure. However, getting married later doesn't guarantee that you won't eventually get divorced. As young people enjoy the early years of their marriages, there's no way to see what the future holds. Financial security can be a big factor in the success of these marriages.

Divorce Rates Are Dropping

It's true that the divorce rates of young people are dropping. The marriage rate is also lower, as more people hope to gain financial security before tying the knot. Interestingly, while overall divorce rates are dropping due to the habits of young people, older folks are getting divorced at a higher rate. When a couple is established in their careers and gaining more success, it can take a lot of pressure off of their marriage. This is good news and a trend that will hopefully continue.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

Financial insecurity continues to be a problem, with many young people worrying that they'll never be able to afford to get married. The good news is that they're not going ahead with ill-advised marriages anyway. If the marriage and divorce rates continue to stall, it could have an impact on societal factors like the population, families, and communities. No one wants to see divorce rates climb, but the same holds true for falling rates of marriage. It will be interesting to see what the future holds.

Our divorce attorneys understand that marriage doesn't always work out. If you've decided to dissolve your marriage, The Law Office of Arthur J. White III, P.C. is here to help. Contact our office today to schedule your obligation-free consultation.