Generation A to Z Series: Why Are So Many Couples Over 50 Divorcing?

For many couples, “til death do us part” has become “til middle age do us part.” The divorce rate of people over 50 doubled from 1990 to 2015, and the term “Gray Divorce” was born. Based on current trends, researchers predict Gray Divorce will have tripled by 2030. The factors driving these changes have an impact on all of us, regardless of age or marital status. 

  1. People are living longer - One very simple reason more people are divorcing later in life? It’s not actually so “late.” Bill and Melinda Gates made global headlines when they divorced after 27 years of marriage, at ages 65 and 57, respectively. In their public statement, they said they were heading into the “next phase of their lives.” Couples divorcing in their 50s and 60s may still have decades of living ahead, and plenty of time to pursue new goals and dreams.  

  2. It’s more socially acceptable - There’s a correlation between divorce rates and attitudinal shifts among people over 50. A 2020 study in the Journal of Family Issues showed that people over 50 developed more supportive attitudes about divorce from 1994 to 2012, and divorce rates increased in this same period. There are now more social resources for older divorcées too - from support groups to “Silver Singles” dating options. 

  3. Marriage changes by the generation - Compared to younger generations, Baby Boomers are more likely to have married for the first time at a younger age, and less likely to have lived with their future spouse before walking down the aisle. Simply put, Gen X and Millennials have lower divorce rates in part because they have lower marriage rates. For example, they may live with someone as a “trial run” and break up years later, without adding to the divorce stats for their generation. 

  4. Retirement looms: Couples under 50 are typically busy with work, children, and other responsibilities. When children have left the nest and retirement is on the horizon, the idea of spending every waking moment together makes some couples reconsider their shared futures. About one third of Gray Divorces occur among people who have been married for 30 years or more, and say they’re looking for a different way of life for their remaining years. 

  5. People are redefining happiness: There’s mounting evidence that relationships and social connections are one of the biggest drivers of quality of life. For example, The Harvard Study of Adult Development noted that the happier people are in their relationships in their later years, the better their health. Couples over 50 are setting their own terms regarding relationships, careers, and living arrangements, and redefining what it means to live a happy and fulfilled life. 

At Artese Zandri, we help clients navigate divorce at any age, including divorce over 50. Feel free to contact us at consultations@artesezandri.com to discuss your own situation. 

This is the first article in our new “Generation A to Z”  Series. Look out for our next installment! 

Stat Sources: Pew Research

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