A recent analysis of research from a sociologist at the University of Utah found that couples are less likely to divorce when they enter into a marriage in their late 20s rather than earlier in life.
The researcher, Nicholas Wolfinger, stated that individuals’ risk of divorce gradually declines from when they are teenagers through their late 20s. However, once a person enters their early thirties, risk of divorce increases again. Wolfinger’s research demonstrated that the age of 32 is a tipping point for single individuals; after this age, a person’s likelihood of becoming divorced increases by five percent each year.
In his analysis, the sociologist explains that many individuals in their late teens and early twenties aren’t emotionally mature enough to handle marriage, and as a result have a higher likelihood of divorce. He also noticed that marrying at a younger age could be related to lower levels of education which have been known to increase divorce risk.
As an explanation for why those over 32 years of age experience a progressive increase in divorce risk, Wolfinger noted that those individuals might simply not be best suited for marriage. He continued by stating that following the age of 32, those who delay marriage do so because it may be difficult to find a appropriate partner, and that these individuals are selecting from a group of people who, like themselves, are at higher risk for divorce. This theory is what Wolfinger describes as the “selection effect.” It is to be noted, however, that Wolfinger’s analysis of marriage and divorce trends is not applicable to every personal situation, but is rather a generalized interpretation of statistics.
Military Divorce Rates
Approximately 2.6 percent of married male service members got divorced in 2016, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. The rate was identical to both 2015 and 2014. However, there was a slight increase in the number of female troops who divorced in 2016 — up to 6.6 percent from the previous year’s rate of 6.2 percent.
The overall divorce rate among service members was 3.1 percent, marking a slight increase from the 3 percent rate in 2015. According to experts, divorce rates for men have always tended to be quite stable. The rates among women tend to fluctuate, especially among enlisted military personnel. Enlisted women typically divorce at double or more the rate of their male counterparts. In 2016, about 8 percent of female enlisted soldiers got divorced, versus just 2.8 percent of all male enlisted soldiers. It can be difficult to compare the divorce rate among military personnel and civilians because they are measured differently. The national divorce rate is measured per 1,000 residents and does not include five states. Military divorce rates are simply measured as a percentage of all service members.
Experts say military divorce rates tend to rise and fall based on contributing factors like the economy and the quality of counseling offered outside the military.
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If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.
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West Jordan, Utah
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