There are often no simple explanations when it comes to divorce, as virtually every couple has its own unique set of circumstances that precipitated their split. Perhaps the couple had near-constant disagreements about selling the marital home or simply grew apart over time. Alternatively, perhaps one spouse engaged in an extramarital affair or one spouse lied about financial issues.

Despite the fact that the circumstances of every divorce are unique, one group recently commissioned a market research company in an attempt to identify some of the more common causes of divorce.

Specifically, the website Divorce360.com hired GFK Roper to conduct a survey of just over 1,500 people in order to determine the "why's" of divorce.

The findings were rather interesting ...

After speaking with 860 divorced women and 640 men, GFK Roper determined the following:

  • 36 percent of all people polled identified abuse - verbal or physical - as the cause of their divorce (48 of women indicated that this was the primary cause)
  • 23 percent of men polled identified financial problems as the cause of their divorce
  • 13 percent of all people polled identified arguments about how to raise children as the cause of their divorce
  • 12 percent of all people polled identified a general sense of boredom as the cause of their divorce
  • 6 percent of all people polled identified disagreements over whether to have children as the cause of their divorce
  • 4 percent of all people polled identified religion as the cause of their divorce

While some of these findings were eye opening, the rather high percentage of couples citing abuse as the reason for their split is disconcerting.

Interestingly, some family experts are not surprised by this finding, citing both the tragic reality of domestic abuse for many spouses and the potential for misclassification by those who are perhaps misinformed as to the true definition of domestic abuse.

"No, [the findings don't] surprise me at all, however people's definition of abuse varies," said Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Texas Council on Family Violence. "How it's defined for the couple who is divorcing may or may not fit into the definition of what we recognize as domestic violence."

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about dissolution of marriage, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

Those who need help or have questions about domestic abuse may call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE to speak with an advocate.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Related Resources:

Lexington Herald-Leader, "What makes people decide to leave? Survey reports the reasons we divorce" Sept. 22, 2011