Over the years, rates of divorce of all forms and in all age groups have generally risen. Experts speculate on many different potential reasons for this. Among these groups are grey divorcees, which includes couples who are over 50 years of age.
Grey divorce is an area experts often study. Why is it on the rise? Is there any particular reason? And what does a rise in grey divorce mean?
Lowering social stigma around divorce
Forbes takes a look at grey divorce and the implications behind it, along with reasons why grey divorce is on the rise. Of course, there is no singular reason as to why grey divorce is on the rise recently. Rather, there are a conglomerate of potential reasons that all increase the divorce rate together.
For example, some people might have held back in the past due to social stigma. As times change, these stigmas lessen. These days, almost everyone knows one couple who has gone through a split. In particular, society’s judgment toward divorced women has also decreased especially in urban areas. This makes it easier for people to move on from a marriage, no matter their age.
Increases in lifespan and life quality
Then, the average lifespan and quality of life for Americans has also consistently increased. This means that your life is no longer “over” at 50, or even 60 or 70. If you know you likely have decades more to live, why would you spend it in an unhappy marriage? This is a common sentiment grey divorcees seem to hold.
There does not seem to be any particular implication behind grey divorce rates rising, at least. Simply, more couples feel comfortable ending a marriage in older age now.