Time.com has a an great article titled Will the Market Kill Your Marriage? that discusses why economic recessions increase divorce rates. Possible theories include:
- Lack of money exposes fundamental flaws in the marriage,
- Couples who had fundamental differences about money now have irreconcilable differences about it, and
- Financial worries cause stress, stress causes depression, and depression causes divorce.
The most interesting quote of the article:
A study that correlated Playboy centerfolds with market conditions found that men like fuller-figured women more in lean times than in boom times. The APA study showed that when stressed, women liked to eat. Bingo!
For those who don’t want to overeat to save their marriages, the article offers this suggestion:
A lot of counselors suggest sitting with your spouse and putting your fears on the table. If partner A does not know the full lay of the dire financial land, partner B should map it out while partner A makes a robust attempt not to scream. Then figure out how to address your liquidity issues as a team.
Although the advice above is meant for people who are trying to save their marriages, I would extend it to those who are facing divorce. In my family law practice here in Chicago, I have seen that those couples who face their financial problems together – as a team – are the ones who are able to reach the best outcomes.
Via: Maryland Divorce Lawyer: Coping with the Recession
