When people talk about the percentages that go with the divorce rate, it sometimes makes it feel like it’s just a numbers game. If half of all marriages end in divorce, for instance, are you just waiting around to see if you’re in the 50% that split up or the 50% that stay together?
This mindset simply does not go far enough and does not acknowledge that, regardless of the statistics, each marriage is unique. There are many different factors that contribute to whether or not a couple decides to get divorced. This doesn’t mean you can predict that outcome all of the time, but it does mean that you can look for signs and red flags that may indicate that divorce is more likely. Some of them include:
- You got married when you were very young, perhaps still in your teens.
- You got married later in life, especially if it was after you turned 32.
- One or both of you did not complete your high school education.
- Your partner is often critical of you, even if it doesn’t turn into an argument.
- You spend a lot of time apart.
- Whenever there is a conflict, one of you will withdraw, rather than trying to work it out.
- Your financial situation is not stable and you are often under stress.
- When you talk to others about your relationship, you often mention the negatives, not the positives.
- One of you does not have a full-time job, even if you do not have children.
Now, these signs do not guarantee divorce. Plenty of part-time workers stay married and some teen marriages stand the test of time. But they have shown to lead to divorce more often, and you need to know your rights if that’s true for you.