Divorce is already complicated. Don’t let it get even more complicated by accepting some of the common myths people tend to spread. These individuals often don’t mean to do it; they just don’t realize that what they’re saying isn’t true.
To help you, here are a few myths to watch out for:
- You’re less likely to split up if you move in together before marriage. Reality: For reasons that experts can’t quite pin down, this actually leads to higher divorce rates.
- Your second marriage is more likely to last because you don’t repeat mistakes. Reality: Second marriages end at a higher rate than first marriages.
- Having a child can save a marriage. Reality: Having a child will not prevent divorce. Children actually add a fair amount of stress to a couple’s life, and they make that eventual divorce more complicated.
- Women and men have the same reduction in standard of living after divorce. Reality: A man’s standard of living actually goes up by about 10%, while a woman’s standard of living drops by 27%.
- Adults who had divorced parents when they were kids are less likely to get divorced themselves. Reality: The truth is that adults who come from homes with divorced parents have higher divorce rates than those who do not.
- Any unhappiness means divorce is coming. Reality: Marriages have ups and downs. Sometimes, couples work through periods of unhappiness. Other times, they see that divorce is the only possible end result. Every case is unique.
If you do end up getting divorced, just be sure you know all of the legal rights you have.
