A recent study conducted by University of Maryland researchers shed light on a trend that surprised researchers. Divorce rates are on a decline among millennials. In fact, the overall divorce rate in the United States apparently dropped by 18 percent between 2008 and 2016. There are a number of reasons that the researchers point to for this decline.
One reason they point to for this decrease in divorces among millennials is that this population is waiting longer to get married than earlier generations. By the time they marry, they’ve often completed their education and have begun their careers. They often have their finances more in control because of this. Fewer millennials are choosing to walk down the aisle too.
Of those couples who do get married, the researchers found that education and age affect whether they stay together. The more educated and older a couple is, the more lasting their marriage tends to be.
They also found that many couples who put off marriage decide to cohabitate and jointly raise kids. Many of these couples never get married, but for those who do, they often experience less than satisfying marriages that ultimately lead them to file for divorce.
While the divorce rates among millennials are declining, the researchers found that baby boomers’ “gray divorce” rates continue to increase. Most of these individuals are now in their 60s and 70s.
According to Bowling Green University’s National Center for Family and Marriage Research, between 1990 and 2015, divorce rates doubled for those ages 55 to 65. It tripled for those 65 or over.
If you’re at the point where you’re ready to call it quits on your marriage, then it’s likely that the two of you may not be in the best place to see eye-to-eye on things as you look to settle your divorce. A Fort Myers divorce mediation attorney can help you and your ex overcome communication barriers necessary to divide up your property, make decisions about child custody and support and other pressing issues.