Many people in Ohio share the widespread perception that the divorce rate is close to 50 percent and is rising steadily. However, that number may be more of a historical aberration as opposed to an actual marriage trend. Researchers say that the divorce rate is actually falling, and attitudes toward marriage have changed since the 1970s and 1980s due to the rise of feminism.
Today, marriage is about shared values, splitting household bills and splitting other household responsibilities. Marriages that started in the 1990s have a 70 percent chance of lasting at least 15 years. A marriage that began in the 1970s or 1980s had a 65 percent chance of lasting 15 years or longer. Researchers further noted that couples that got married in the first decade of the 21st century have an even lower chance of getting divorced.
If current marriage trends continue, it is possible that two-thirds of marriages will not end in divorce. One of the reasons cited for this is the fact that people are waiting until they are older to get married. In the 1950s, the median age for marriage was 23 for men and 20 for women. In 2004, the average man waited until age 27 to get married while the average woman waited until age 26 to get married.
While getting a divorce is less likely than it may have been in the past, some couples may decide that their marriage is not working out. When that happens, it may be best to consult a family law attorney who may be able to help negotiate a divorce settlement that accounts for property division as well as resolves child custody and support issues where applicable.
Source: The Huffington Post, “The Truth About The Divorce Rate Is Surprisingly Optimistic“, Brittany Wong, December 02, 2014
