families

PROVEN SCIENTIFIC REASON WHY MARRIAGES FAIL.

Despite a decreasing divorce rate, some marriages still end in separation. However, experts in science, sociology, and marriage have identified risk factors that could contribute to a negative outcome. Here are some of the top reasons why a marriage may fail.

Moving too fast.

There's no definitive answer to "the one," as people's opinions will differ. However, social psychologist Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato tells Psychology Today that it's all about how you feel about your partner. Do you want your friends and family to like him? Do you miss her when you're apart? Data scientist Randal Olson compiled findings from researchers at Emory University who discovered that dating for at least three years was shown to be a real protection against divorce.

Waiting too long

Data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows that waiting until the age of 32 to get married might be too long. According to the study, every year leading up to your 32nd birthday reduces your risk of divorce by 11%. After 32, the divorce rate increases by 5% every year. So, if you're looking to set a date for your upcoming nuptials, 31 might be the magic number. Olson's findings also revealed a red flag that could be seen from very early on your wedding day. Data shows that the more people you invite to your wedding, the less likely you are to get divorced. Couples who elope are over 12 times as likely to split up than a couple who invited 200 or more people to their big day. Olson says this shows that having a large support group positively affects the success of the marriage. But who gets to bring a plus-one?

Blowing out your budget

Spending on your wedding reveals a lot about the future of your relationship. According to Olson, spending up to $1,000 is the right amount for marital success. Couples who spend more than $20,000 are 3 and a half times more likely to get divorced than couples who spend less than that amount. Olson warns that “Bridezilla Divorcezilla” if you don’t budget wisely for your big day.

Banking on looks and money.

What was the first thing that attracted you to your partner?

Was it his warm smile? Her sparkling eyes? Or…maybe it was that loaded bank account. According to Olson, men and women who place too much emphasis on how good-looking their partner is, or how fat that weekly paycheck might be, may be headed for Splitsville.

Studies show that men who find looks important are 1.5 times more likely to get divorced, and women who place importance on their partner's wealth are 1.6 times more likely to throw in the towel.

Banking on the breadwinner.

According to a 2016 Harvard study, a husband that isn't employed full-time links to a higher risk of divorce. Studies found, "Expectations of wives' homemaking may have eroded, but the husband breadwinner norm persists."And a 2015 study found men and women often consider their marriages quote "less satisfying," if the wife is the primary earner.

Feeling the heat

The American Psychological Association puts stress into three categories: acute, episodic acute, or chronic. Acute stress is the most common, and according to the APA, "It comes from demands and pressures of the recent past and anticipated demands and pressures of the near future. A study from the International Association for Relationship Research also revealed that stress resulting from daily trivial events led to participants' decision to divorce. These are just few point that one can consider when getting in this lifetime commitment called marriage.