Changes in the Divorce Rate
Have you noticed a drop in the divorce rate?
If you feel like there are fewer people filing for divorce, you may be right. The latest Census has brought many new statistics and figures to the world of American families. Among of the most interesting fact (especially to a Chicago divorce lawyer) from the U.S. Census Bureau included a report that divorce rates have been dropping for most age groups since 1996 by an average of 5 percentage points.
The 1980s brought with the highest divorce rates ever – well over the 50 percent number we are familiar with today. Back when the rate was higher, there were alarmists who were declaring an end to all marriage. Like most doomsday predictions it turned out not to be true and as statistics flattened, Chicago divorce lawyers likeme saw a leveling off of cases.
Now that it is becoming clear that this new generation is bringing the divorce rate even lower, it’s worth discussing why the trend is heading downward.
I would love to say it’s because Americans are getting better at marriage, taking the time to connect with our spouses, making time for date night, and seeking out couples counseling when necessary. That’s probably not the true reason.
One reason that marriages are sticking for longer is because people are waiting longer to get married and of men and women aged 25 to 29, around a third of them have never made the trip to the altar. A report called “Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009” tracked these numbers.
Based on both professional evidence and anecdotal stories, it seems couples are waiting to get married until they have a stable job. Additionally, since the stigma of cohabitation before marriage has been lessened a considerable degree, couples don’t mind putting off marriage while waiting to make sure they are making the absolute right decision.
Do you see this trend in your community? Leave a comment and tell us if a lower divorce rate sounds right, or if you say more people are getting divorced than ever before.
Michael C. Craven is a well-known divorce attorney in Chicago, CPA and a partner of the law firm Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP. (Formerly of Beermann, now a Partner at Harrison LLP) located in the Chicago area. He is highly respected among other divorce attorneys, judges and his clients. He also holds a Master of Tax Law Degree (LLM). For more information about his services, contact Michael at mcraven@harrisonheld.comor at Divorce Lawyers Chicago
