The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp
No one gets married planning to divorce. However, roughly half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. From marital financial strain to religious differences, there are many reasons why couples call it quits.
In this article, we’re looking at 12 of the top reasons couples get divorced so you can be aware of these potential trouble spots in your marriage.
The Top 12 Reasons for Divorce
Recent research from the National Library of Medicine sheds some light on why couples get divorced, with a statistical breakdown of the top reasons for divorce. Here’s a closer look at each of the primary reasons couples end their marriages.
1. Lack of Commitment
An astonishing 75% of divorced couples struggled with a lack of commitment from one or both partners. From not spending enough time together to not putting in an effort, a lack of commitment can show up in many ways.
2. Infidelity/Affairs
Unsurprisingly, infidelity and extramarital affairs were present for 60% of all marriages that ended in divorce in 2023. Infidelity can be a challenging thing to overcome, especially without affair therapy https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/how-affair-therapy-can-help-couples-navigate-infidelity/
3. Constant Arguments
Constant bickering is no one’s idea of a happy marriage. Fifty-eight percent of divorced couples admitted to too much arguing and conflict in their marriage. The reasons for these arguments vary, but if a couple argues too much, they may be at higher risk for divorce.
4. Getting Married Too Young
While the average age to get married is on the rise, 45% of divorcing couples believe they got married too young. This is all the more reason to make sure you’re ready before you commit.
5. Financial Strain
In an era where many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, it’s not a surprise that 37% of divorced couples say that financial strain contributed to their demise. Whether it’s fighting over bills or exhaustion from working tirelessly to make ends meet, financial difficulties can add undue strain on any relationship.
6. Substance Misuse
Substance misuse can be devastating for everyone involved. It’s so damaging that 36% of divorced couples say substance misuse had something to do with it. (That’s only one percent less than the couples who struggled with financial strain).
7. Domestic Violence
For some, divorce was the only way to ensure safety. For 24% of divorced couples, domestic violence was a recurring issue. (If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse of any kind, contact the Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE for 24/7 support.)
8. Lack of Support
When your friends or family don’t like your spouse, it can make things pretty difficult. In fact, 18% of divorced couples say that they struggled with a lack of support in their marriage.
9. Health Problems
You can’t predict everything in life, and sometimes unexpected health problems can throw a wrench in everyone’s plans. Around 17% of divorcing couples had health problems that affected the quality of their marriage.
10 Religious Differences
While some couples can believe different things than their spouse, others struggle to find common ground. Around 13% of divorced couples had religious differences, which contributed to their separation.
11. Little Premarital Education
Many people don’t know what marriage actually entails until they’re in it. Marriage can be fun, but it can also be a lot of work. Approximately 13% of divorced couples say they didn’t receive any premarital education to prepare them for what was to come.
12. Other Reasons
While not listed in the original survey, there are several other common reasons couples get divorced, including:
- A lack of intimacy
- Parenting differences
- Misaligned goals
- Communication problems
- Lack of shared interests
- Trust issues
- And more
Takeaway
From infidelity to religious differences, there are many reasons couples choose to end their relationship. However, if both parties stay committed and focused on open and honest communication, there’s usually a way to overcome these issues and stay together. Couples therapy can be incredibly helpful during the more challenging times.
