There are many rumors about divorce that have proliferated the minds of Americans and are simply not entirely true. While divorce in America is still high, it may not be as bad as people tend to think. In addition, the reasons for divorce are not always clear cut and obvious as one specific event that leads to divorce. We would like to take a deeper dive into some of this information to try to gleam into the real numbers to get a better understanding.
50% of Marriages End In Divorce
The saying that 50% of divorces end in divorce has statistically been proven false. A study by the CDC in 2018 shows that in a population of 271,791,413, there were 782,038 divorces in the United States. This is a rate of only 2.9% of marriages. This does exclude data for California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, and New Mexico. Experts are now putting the divorce rate at 39%. While still an unsettling number, it is far below the 50% number that has been thrown out since the 1980’s.
Does Alcohol Consumption Impact Divorce Rates?
Alcohol has been proven to impact divorce rates however it may not be exactly what you may think. We need to look at a few different factors that play into this statistic. Do both spouses drink heavily or just one? How many alcoholic beverages does each spouse consume on average per month? When we dive deeper into this we see quite a different picture. For example, a study done by the University of Buffalo states that “Couples in which both spouses use alcohol heavily are less likely to divorce than those where one spouse uses alcohol heavily and the other does not.”. We do not condone the use of drinking and especially the use of heavy drinking however we are just looking at the facts about drinking and how it relates to the divorce rate. This same study showed that “nearly 50 percent of couples with a discrepant drinking pattern (only one partner drinks heavily) divorced, whereas only 30 percent of couples who drank at similar amounts (neither or both partners were heavy drinkers) divorced in this time
The Divorce Rate Is Going Up
Increased divorce rates have been echoed across the country however the statistics behind this point to a different conclusion. With the recent Covid outbreak, these numbers could easily change up or down however prior to this, it seems as the the divorce rate has been on a steady decline. This could be caused by a number of reasons from millennials getting married later in life to simply wanting to stay together due to financial reasons. Either way, the current divorce rate is at a 50 year low.
About Henderson, Raque & Cain Law Firm
Henderson, Raque, and Cain is a law firm in Murfreesboro, TN dedicated to the rights of our clients. Our experienced attorneys are specialize in specific areas of law to ensure you get the representation you deserve for your situation. Whether you are facing DUI charges, need a divorce attorney, would like to file a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim, you can find the experienced, dedicated legal help you deserve with our Murfreesboro attorneys. We have represented clients throughout Rutherford County in state and federal courts for decades, providing professional service with integrity. Our law firm is built on experience, dedication to quality, and proven legal insight.
We are ready to listen to you about your personal injury, family law, or criminal defense case, ready to understand your circumstances, needs, and goals. At every step, you can rely on us to be approachable, responsive, and efficient, communicating with you throughout your case to keep you informed of your rights and what to expect in your case. We understand that your rights, your financial well-being, and your future could all be at stake. Our Murfreesboro law firm is dedicated to getting you results.