Feb
14

Marital Habits Can Factor In A Divorce

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There are many factors influencing a couple’s decision to file for divorce. There are the usual culprits of sex, money and issues with children and in-laws, but did you know that renting instead of buying your marital home can lead to divorce? A panel of economists at Hunter College in New York discovered that when the housing market bottoms out, couples on the precipice of divorce fear losing money on their property and are more likely to wait out the market, increasing the odds for reconciliation over time, while renters are more likely to cut their losses and file for divorce.

Birds of a Feather

If you associate with many divorced friends, relatives and colleagues in your everyday life, Brown University’s Political Science professor Rose McDermott found in a 2009 study that the odds of your one day facing divorce yourself are shockingly high – 147%.

Married couples who are both shopaholics and define themselves by their material possessions were found by a Brigham Young University study published in 2011 to have 10-15% lower scores on their marriage stability compared to couples who rank material possessions as far less important. These couple tends to squabble about money regardless of their income level while responding less to one another.

Smoke Gets in (Their) Eyes

Are you a smoker married to an ex-smoker? A 2010 Australian study determined that if both partners smoke, there is no appreciable effect on the relationship’s stability, but if one quits and the other persists (especially the woman), the divorce potential skyrockets to 75-95%. This indicates that there are even more benefits to kicking the habit together.

(Don’t) Go Your Own Way

Perhaps you live in a suburban community and commute an hour daily to the east for your job while your spouse heads off to the west each morning. You likely think your choice is a happy compromise, but according to a study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, you would be wrong. This study concluded there is a subconscious, metaphorical component indicating that traveling in the same direction — even if you leave for work at different times — correlates with couples’ perception of having shared goals, whereas heading off in different directions represents a disconnect.

Chesseburgers in Paradise?

Even the timing of your consumption of unhealthy, greasy foods and discussing typical hot-button marital issues has a connection. Ohio State University researchers conducted a study showing that blood samples taken after couples ate a meal consisting of fatty, calorie-laden foods indicate an amplification in the body’s response to stress.

Clearly there are many factors affecting the stability of marriage, some obvious and some not. Should you find yourself facing this unpleasant decision, protecting your rights and assets in the event of divorce should be your primary concern. Consulting with a knowledgeable family law attorney can give you the information you need to make the necessary decision on whether or not to end your marriage.

 

Categories : relationships

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