Fort Worth Family Law Blog

Couples going down the aisle in Texas are less likely to part ways these days since the overall divorce rate is on the decline. Still, there are times when marriages come to a premature end. In order to develop a better understanding of the common reasons couples split, researchers interviewed divorced individuals who initially participated in prevention and relationship enhancement program (PREP) courses to learn why their marriages failed.

Even though all respondents had participated in PREP courses, some of them cited little or no premarital education as one of the reasons why they decided to start the divorce process. Religious differences and a lack of family support were among some of the other lower-ranking divorce reasons given. Health problems also played a role in some divorces since illness often requires one partner to step up and assume a larger role in a marriage. Nearly a quarter of survey participants cited emotional and/or physical abuse as the major reason for their splits.

If the wife in a marriage develops cancer or another serious health issue, such as heart disease, the risk of divorce increases; however, there is no increase in divorce risk if the husband has these conditions. A number of studies have found this to be the case, including one published in 2015 in "The Journal of Health and Social Behavior." One study found that if a woman has a stroke or develops heart disease, it raises her divorce risk even more than cancer.

Experts theorize that one reason this happens is because women tend to provide more care for men. When they become too ill to continue providing this care, the marriage is more likely to end. Women also tend to have more of a support system of friends and family members than men do, providing a safety net in the case of divorce.

People in Texas have likely seen how social standards of attractiveness and beauty have a significant impact on people's lives, including the romantic or sexual sphere. Many people are attracted to those considered the most beautiful according to societal values, but most individuals eventually develop relationships with people considered equally attractive.

Various researchers have delved into the question of how differing attractiveness levels may affect a relationship. According to one study, women who said they were much more attractive than their male partners were more likely to feel uncommitted in the relationship and flirt with others. However, this kind of self-reported study in which people assess their own attractiveness may not measure physical attractiveness as clearly as it does contempt or dislike in the relationship, especially since both factors are likely to lead to divorce. Other research found that less attractive partners were more likely to develop problematic jealous or controlling behaviors.

Texas residents who are facing a divorce as a result of financial strife might wonder what went wrong. Because of financial trouble and disagreements over how to handle money, many marriages end prematurely. According to a 2017 study from Experian, 59 percent of divorced couples cited financial problems as playing a role in their divorce. A fifth said financial problems played a major role while just over a quarter specifically named their spouse's credit scores as a source of financial distress.

Some experts say that the dating phase is when people should be discussing their financial values. Being aligned on the financial front from the start can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding marital strife. It's also wise to seek advice on finances by meeting with a therapist or certified financial planner. A third party could be particularly helpful because there will be no emotions attached to his or her advice.