What causes someone to end a marriage? According to Kota Baharu, author of the article Causes of Divorce, for the Americans for Divorce Reform, Inc., not all marriages fail for the same reason. Not only is there one reason they fail, but there typically isn't one reason for the divorce either. Although there are copious factors that contribute to the harrowing decision of divorce, I have found some of the most common and reoccurring reasons as to why one says those four destructive words: I Want A Divorce.
- Infidelity-- One of the largest impacts on a marriage is infidelity. "A lack of commitment to the marriage,"and an absence of lust for your partner may lead to infidelity, which may ultimately lead to the interference of a third period(s) (Baharu).
- Poor Communication--"'Mismanaged conflict and negative interaction in marriage predicts both
marital distress and negative effects for children,'" not only does poor communication skills effect the marriage, it effects your children, and could impede on their future relationship skills (Clements, qtd. in Baharu).
- Money--Baharu also suggests money could be the difference between staying together and separating. "'Money is the one thing that people say they argue about most in marriage,'" whether you are prosperous, or in poverty, money leads to arguments. If you and your loved one have different perspectives on how to manage money, you may have financial problems, which only adds stress to a relationship (Markman, qtd. in Baharu).
- Abuse-- During the 1960s, the first major study over divorce causes was conducted. It showed that" wives cited twice as many complaints as husbands," and the wives were more likely to complain of "physical abuse, drinking [alcohol abuse], and verbal abuse," where as the husbands were more likely to say "in-law trouble and sexual incompatibility" were the causes of divorce (DivorceLine).
- Relationship Problems-- Sometimes the problem has been there since the couple started dating, however, it was never addressed or acknowledged. The problems may have been ignored in hopes that marriage would be the fix to their problems...but it's not. Both partners need to acknowledge their differences and try to resolve the issues. "As someone wise once said, it takes two wholes to make a marriage, not two halves" (DivorceLine).
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