A Look at Divorce Statistics by Generation

A Look at Divorce Statistics by Generation

U.S. divorce rates have risen and fallen over the past several decades. During that time, each generation has had its own approach to divorce.

The divorce rate peaked during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but ever since it has been on a steady decline. However, the number of new marriages that fail is still over 50 percent, according to a 2016 study at the University of Maryland. A relationship study by Avvo found that one in five married Americans are considering divorce.

Here’s a quick look at how each generation tends to look at divorce:

  • Baby boomers: Also referred to as the “me generation,” baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, making them between 53 and 71 years old now. This generation has the highest divorce rate. In fact, divorce rates for 55- to 64-year-olds have doubled, and rates for those over 65 have tripled.
  • Generation X: Made up of people born between 1965 and 1981, Gen X is sandwiched between two massive generations. For the most part, this generation has a low divorce rate. Almost 70 percent of marriages that began in the 1990s (most of whom involved Gen Xers) reached their 15th anniversary, a sizable increase over marriages that began in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Millennials: Members of this generation were born between 1982 and 2000. It’s a little too soon to tell what kind of mark millennials will put on divorce rates, as only about 26 percent are married right now. But what is clear is that they are getting married later — 36 percent of Gen Xers and 48 percent of baby boomers were already married by the age of these current millennials. Ultimately, it appears millennials are rejecting some of the philosophies of their parents regarding what should be the “typical” path of a life.

For more information on how you should proceed when dissolving your marriage, contact a dedicated Long Island divorce lawyer with Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.

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