Divorce clearly threatens the economic well-being of both partners, yes, but 21% of a drop for men versus 45% for women is a massive difference. Older women who worked, even middle-class women, seldom have the resources they need on their own account: Lower salaries for women's work, motherhood, eldercare responsibilities, etc.see to that. Divorce isn't just a lifestyle choice, but a potentially catastrophic economic decision that disproportionately affects women.
Thanks for sharing this Don. I honestly had no idea about gray divorces. Annette, your point on the impact on women is even more stark. I wonder if family care (or lack thereof) by children also plays into this at all? America is such a vast country. Now that interstate jobs are becoming commonplace and people are living further from their family, I’m finding most adult children (who DO want to care for their aging parents) are having difficulty doing so. Mostly because of the 2-week yearly vacation limit (which isn’t really enough if you think about having to visit in laws, fulfilling their own vacation needs, and visiting their own growing children at college etc). What do you guys think?
Perhaps we should take examples from stable marriages on how they manage incompatibility, emotional highs and lows are obstacles, which are part of life, while divorce is hard for the whole family and community. How can people believe you talk about friendship and love and have a family in bits and pieces - no communication, divorce?
Of course, there are exceptions, as in everything in this life, but I'm talking about normality "Love isn't just a feeling, it's an action that requires effort, commitment, and sacrifice."
I’m not sure if statistics support this, but it’s my impression that many divorces are initiated by women because they’re not willing to continue to manage the lion’s share of housekeeping and “kin-keeping” duties. Men may have brought home most of the pay in midlife, but after retirement, many women are exhausted and calling it quits. PS -- I love Meat Loaf!
Divorce clearly threatens the economic well-being of both partners, yes, but 21% of a drop for men versus 45% for women is a massive difference. Older women who worked, even middle-class women, seldom have the resources they need on their own account: Lower salaries for women's work, motherhood, eldercare responsibilities, etc.see to that. Divorce isn't just a lifestyle choice, but a potentially catastrophic economic decision that disproportionately affects women.
Thanks for sharing this Don. I honestly had no idea about gray divorces. Annette, your point on the impact on women is even more stark. I wonder if family care (or lack thereof) by children also plays into this at all? America is such a vast country. Now that interstate jobs are becoming commonplace and people are living further from their family, I’m finding most adult children (who DO want to care for their aging parents) are having difficulty doing so. Mostly because of the 2-week yearly vacation limit (which isn’t really enough if you think about having to visit in laws, fulfilling their own vacation needs, and visiting their own growing children at college etc). What do you guys think?
Perhaps we should take examples from stable marriages on how they manage incompatibility, emotional highs and lows are obstacles, which are part of life, while divorce is hard for the whole family and community. How can people believe you talk about friendship and love and have a family in bits and pieces - no communication, divorce?
But I think we should also acknowledge that some marriages were definitely not made in heaven.
Of course, there are exceptions, as in everything in this life, but I'm talking about normality "Love isn't just a feeling, it's an action that requires effort, commitment, and sacrifice."
I agree. I'm in a 49-year committed relationship myself.
I don't know if that's the issue, but it is definitely true that more gray divorces are initiated by women.
True. The numbers do not lie.
I’m not sure if statistics support this, but it’s my impression that many divorces are initiated by women because they’re not willing to continue to manage the lion’s share of housekeeping and “kin-keeping” duties. Men may have brought home most of the pay in midlife, but after retirement, many women are exhausted and calling it quits. PS -- I love Meat Loaf!