Research shows that women are more likely than men to initiate divorce proceedings. Here are some of the most common reasons women are more likely to file for divorce, as supported by research and findings.
According to a 2015 research study by the American Sociological Association, women are more likely to initiate divorces compared to men. While each relationship is unique in its own way, there are several common reasons as to why women tend to file for divorce more often than men.
Feeling Held Back in Marital Relationship
Today, more women than ever are employed and active in the workforce. According to a 2020 annual data report by the US Department of Labor, women share 47% of the national labor force. The largest age range for this group is women 25-34 years old. However, in many marriages, women are still seen as the primary homemakers and are responsible for domestic duties. These expectations, partnered with growing numbers of careers, generally lead to women having more on their plates than their husband counterparts. Regarding housework for married couples, women are still statistically completing more housework responsibilities than men. This is evident in a 2019 report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which details how on average men spent more time in leisure activities in comparison to women, and nearly 50% of women complete housework daily in comparison to 20% of men. This inequality in domestic duties and labor among men and women is a clear reason why many women may feel restricted in a marriage and thus are more likely to file for divorce.
Unequal Distribution of Emotional Labor
Generally, married women find themselves burdening more emotional responsibilities than their husband counterparts. This relates greatly to the fact that many married couples often face a common issue of a lack of healthy communication. Studies, such as those detailed in a 2019 article in the Harvard Business Review, have concluded that married men often offer less emotional support in comparison to their wives. Married women, on the other hand, were shown to provide emotional support regardless of external demands, and are more skilled at “passing on” emotional support in their relationships and other roles. As a result of these facts, it makes sense as to why more women are turning to divorce as a viable option to end their marriages, as they are dealing with more emotional labor than their husbands. Overall, this can be physically, psychologically, and emotionally draining.
Related: Top 7 Legal Issues Facing Women in 2020
Less Toleration for Unacceptable & Abusive Behavior
Today, women are more self-sufficient and unaccepting of intolerable behavior more than ever. Thus many women are not willing to put up with consistent unacceptable behavior from their partners, whether it be for reasons of physical abuse, emotional abuse, negligence, or manipulation. Today’s modern woman is also more unlikely to put up with infidelity and a controlling relationship dynamic. This is common, especially if many women feel as though they are personally not receiving the proper benefits and positive characteristics they assumed from getting married. In comparing the benefits of modern marriage to those of decades prior, women feel as though they should be able to reap whatever positive and appropriate benefits are available from a healthy, balanced marriage.
Related: How Domestic Violence Affects Divorce in California
Benefits of Divorce for Women
Divorce may generally be viewed as a stereotypically unfavorable action, especially for women. However, divorce isn’t always a bad thing especially when a woman might benefit in more ways than one from leaving a marriage. High levels of female participation in the workforce and a norm for shared custody of children both make it easier for women to leave partnerships through a divorce. Society has become more accepting of divorce. Divorce can very much be a positive life change, especially if it will result in the bettering of a person’s wellbeing in the end. For many women especially, filing for divorce can be a beneficial course of action for both their emotional and physical selves.
FAQs About Why Women Are More Likely to File for Divorce
Does this gender imbalance only apply to heterosexual relationships?
No. Women today have an overall higher expectation for marriage in general, even with female partners. According to one 2017 report by the Office for National Statistics in the UK, 78% of same-sex marriages that ended in divorce were between two women. This indicates that women are overall divorcing for more reasons than one, and are more comfortable with doing so.
How do women know what type of divorce is best?
Every divorce situation is unique and will require a personalized option for the individual circumstances. Options that may be useful for separating couples to consider include collaborative divorce, arbitration, mediation, and uncontested divorce to name a few.
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Her Lawyer recognizes the unique challenges that divorcing women face; our experienced divorce attorneys protect women’s rights throughout the State of California. If you’re going through a divorce, contact us to get in touch with the most qualified divorce attorney for you.