Divorce Rates

Divorce Rates:

Rate of divorce issues in America, had an instant improvement after the Second World War, which was followed by an immediate decline. The rate started rising from the 1960's and acquired great heights in the 1970's. However, it started declining again in the 1980's. Roughly, an estimated rate of divorce issues in USA is 50%.

However, such statistics are approximate and several factors affect their accuracy. For instance, in New York, many young adults including teens prefer having a live-in relationship than a married life. Such bonds are most often, not permanent. On the other hand, some of the elderly population favors common-law relationships, fearing less support in matters of government payments.

Variations in Divorce Rates:

1. Marriage status:

A report from a nationalized institute of professional psychology has stated that 50% of first, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end up in divorce issues. In the USA, recorded rate of divorce issues in accordance with marital status are:

  • 41% of first marriages
  • 60% of second marriages
  • 73% of third marriages

2. Religion:

Rates of divorce issues vary in accordance with the religion also. The percentages of divorced people belonging to different religions are as below:

  • Born-again Christians - 27%
  • Other Christians - 24%
  • Jews - 30%
  • Agnostics and Atheists - 21%

3. Age at the time of marriage:

Following are the details regarding the age of couples at the time of their marriage, which later transformed into divorce issues:

  • Age group of 35-39 years - 5.1% women and 6.5% men
  • Age group of 30-34 years - 8.5% women and 11.6% men
  • Age group of 25-29 years - 16.4% women and 22.3% men
  • Age group of 20-24 years - 36.6% women and 38.8% men
  • Below 20 years - 27.6% women and 11.7% men

4. Variation among Christian faith groups:

Given below is the data showing percentages in an increasing order of different divorced Christian faith groups:

  • Lutherans - 21%
  • Catholics - 21%
  • Mormons - 24%
  • Mainline Protestants - 25%
  • Baptists - 29%
  • Non-denominational - 34%

5. Childbearing and childless couples:

Childless couples are more prone to divorce issues than childbearing couples. Childlessness is among the leading causes for high divorce rates in America. Studies often relate it to sexual incompatibility. Couples with no children show increasing symptoms of prolonged depression and anxiety. About 66% of divorced couples in the USA were found to be childless.

A recent survey in the United States discovered that about, 25% adults have had a divorce, while 11% of adult population is currently divorced. Entering the marriage life at an early stage and avoidance of certain ethical and religious morals are a warning to such high rates of divorce issues.