According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, the divorce rate is the lowest in 30 years. An article over at Yahoo! Shine discusses the different theories as to why that is the case.

One theory is that less people are getting divorced because of the economy. Divorces cost money and running two households is too expensive. Some couples simply cannot afford to do it.

Another expert mentions two kinds of divorce: those resulting from an unhappy marriage, and those resulting from “a weak commitment to marriage.” In good times, plenty of salvageable marriages are terminated but a recession creates more “commitment” to marriage.

One factor that erodes salvageable marriages in good times is the boredom factor. One study found that closeness over time can eliminate that effect. Sharing novel activities with each other (Date Night! Hobbies!) is the key. The recession has been linked to reduced employment and more free time - that time become quality time with a spouse.

Infidelity may also be on the decline. Financing an affair can be prohibitive, and hunting for a job may take precedence over hunting for a lover. The extra cash and leisure time required for sexual courtship are both in short supply as people worry about paying the mortgage.

I don’t know if there is a main reason for the decline or if it is a mix of the above, but it’s encouraging to see that more people are putting the effort in to stay married.

Why do you think the divorce rate has declined?

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