Reasons for Divorce in Marriages

Marriage is a union between two people who are committed to living together as a husband and wife. However, when marriage becomes sour, marriage partners may seek to divorce as they may need time away from one another as they try to recollect themselves and move on with their lives. There are various factors that contribute to divorce, and this might be an issue for both partners. One of the major factors includes a lack of commitment. Every partner in marriage must be willing to talk about their relationship as well as work hard towards a shared financial goal. However, a lack of commitment from either of the partners can be a problem, and the partners may seek to end their marriage (Scott et al., 2013). Another major reason that can be attributed to ending marriages includes incompatibility and growing apart. Incompatibility in the marriage includes issues such as lack of shared values, sexual difficulties, religious differences, and marrying too young (Amato & Previti, 2003). Every couple has differences in their marriages, but these differences can be solved through communication with the partners. Poor communication between the partners can accelerate the cause of a divorce between the partners.

Extramarital affairs in a relationship, termed infidelity or adultery, can be another reason in marriage that couples can decide to end their marriage (Hall & Fincham, 2013). Spouses need to be faithful to one another, which means sticking to their partners and not having extramarital affairs. Infidelity in marriage causes distrust among the couples, and this makes it difficult for the partners to trust one another in the future. Adultery is an issue that is condemned by many religions as well as traditional conventions of society. Based on this, having extramarital affairs is perceived as breaking the vows of marriage and a gateway to divorce. Financial incompatibility, which involves money agreements among the partners, is another major that can lead to divorce (Addo & Sassler, 2010). A couple that often fights over money can be financial incompatibility as their differences often result from the priorities and values around financial decisions. Financial incompatibility results when one of the partners keeps secrets or lies about purchases or any other financial decisions such as making withdrawals or investments. Also, lack of consultation from the other partners before making huge purchases or when taking major steps that can affect joint finances can be a major trigger for divorce. Solving financial incompatibility problems includes talking regularly and calmly about finances and setting financial goals like budgeting together to avoid surprises to the other partners.

Drugs and substance abuse is another trigger of divorce (Fischel-Wolovick, 2018). Some of the partners in a marriage have drinking or drug problems, and this makes them unable to meet their responsibilities as they are committed to drugs and substance abuse. The use of drugs may result in secretive behaviors, sudden mood swings, changes in sleep, appetite, and hygiene, difficulties with attention or memory, as well as abandoning old friends. Continued drug abuse can be a major issue as the partner can fail to provide for the family and may as well indulge in criminal activities to get money as they might be fired from their place of work. Finally, domestic abuse is on the line, with many spouses ending up killing their partner due to violence in marriage (Belzer, 2003). Every couple has differences, but the method of solving these issues can be the determining factor towards accelerated domestic abuse. Couples who sit together and solve their issues calmly have fewer domestic abuse cases compared to couples who prefer violence. Being hot-headed can increase violence as rather than a person walking away to help calm the situation, a person can always invite trouble by provoking their partners. This can be the end of a marriage.

References

Addo, F. R., & Sassler, S. (2010). Financial arrangements and relationship quality in low‐income couples. Family relations, 59(4), 408-423.

Amato, P. R., & Previti, D. (2003). People’s reasons for divorcing: Gender, social class, the life course, and adjustment. Journal of family issues, 24(5), 602-626.

Belzer, L. (2003). Domestic Abuse and Divorce Mediation: Suggestions for a Safer Process. Loy. J. Pub. Int. L., 5, 37.

Fischel-Wolovick, L. (2018). Traumatic divorce and separation: The impact of domestic violence and substance abuse in custody and divorce. Oxford University Press.

Hall, J. H., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). Relationship dissolution following infidelity. In Handbook of divorce and relationship dissolution (pp. 169-184). Psychology Press.

Scott, S. B., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., Allen, E. S., & Markman, H. J. (2013). Reasons for divorce and recollections of premarital intervention: Implications for improving relationship education. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 2(2), 131.