What Are The Most Common Causes of Divorce?

Divorce, in whatever form it takes, is never easy for anyone. Even if divorce might be the best thing for you and your significant other, it can be a difficult thing to handle and leave you feeling lonely, hurt, and confused.

When you’re going through a divorce, you may feel like no one else understands what you’re going through. But the truth is, you aren’t alone. There are many reasons people get divorced. Maybe you feel like things are off in your relationship. Maybe you’ve been arguing more frequently — something that Americans do 19 times a month on average.

Whatever your situation is, knowing the most common reasons for divorce can help you.

Lack of Intimacy

Make no mistake: for many couples, sex is still an essential part of a marriage. But, over time, intimacy becomes about much more than sex. You can be physically intimate with a hug or a kiss. You can show intimacy and affection with an occasional phone call, by holding hands, or with a back rub. When sex or these small acts of affirmation disappear, a partner in a relationship may feel unloved or rejected.

Infidelity

Affairs are a very common reason for divorce, but some couples do stay together after infidelity issues. The bottom line, however, is that infidelity can lead to communication breakdowns and the erosion of trust in a marriage. Even if a marriage survives, it will never fundamentally be the same again. Even if one partner forgives the other, the other partner may carry a fair amount of guilt.

Money

Depending on who you ask, money is the top cause of divorce in the United States. Money is often the flashpoint for arguments and a strong motivator in divorce. Income inequality can be a big source of conflict, as can spouses who may be reckless with their spending. Couples may also have different views on budgeting or long-term financial goals.

There are many other reasons for divorce, including abuse, a breakdown or lack of communication, age difference, or even physical appearance. That’s why it’s important to talk to your spouse if things don’t seem quite right. If you’ve identified one or more of the things listed above as a problem, you can talk with your partner and address the issues in your marriage.