Fluctuations in marriage and divorce rates trend with the economy

On behalf of Furr & Cohen, P.A. posted in Family Law on Friday, June 27, 2014.

If you are married, you have probably noticed that your financial situation has an impact on your marriage. When your financial situation is on the good side, your marriage might seem happier. When your financial situation is trending toward the bad side, you might notice more tension in your home. Florida residents who are on this financial roller coaster should know that it isn’t just something they are imagining.

The trend of the economy impacting marriages was the source of a University of Maryland study. The study found that divorce rates went down during the 2009 recession, but began to level out when the economy started to go back up. Info Please data shows that the number of marriages declined in the same period as the divorce rate declined.

Some people have questioned whether this all means that relationships are strengthened during times of a rough economy. The National Poverty Center says that a bad economy might not necessarily improve relationships. It found that an economy that is on a downswing might stop couples from splitting up right away.

Similar trends were noted during the Great Depression. In the 1930s, the marriage rate went from 12 marriages per 1,000 people down 9.2 marries per 1,000 people. Divorce rates trended similarly around that time. Just after the 1929 stock market crash, the divorce rate went down. As the economy picked back up again, it began to climb.

Tough situations are likely to occur in any marriage. If the problems in your marriage have become insurmountable, divorce might be the option you choose. Understanding your rights and learning about the process might take some of the stress out of going through the divorce.

Source: USA Today, “Do recessions strengthen relationships or hurt?” Erica Rawes, Jun. 21, 2014