Major Reasons Marriages Fail (2024)

By Adrian Altshuler | May 16, 2018

A recent Huffington Post article reviewed why marital relationships fail. Our divorce lawyers represent spouses and parents who are struggling with their marriage. Some marriages can be saved with communication and work. When the marriage can’t be saved, we guide wives and husbands through the divorce process. Often divorce disputes can be settled amicably – through divorce collaboration or mediation. When divorces can’t be settled, we fight to secure your financial fortune and to guide you through the anxiety of divorce.

Major Reasons Marriages Fail (1)

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  • Failing to share responsibility for raising the children
  • Postponing problems instead of discussing them
  • An unsatisfactory sex life
  • Spouses who develop new relationships or rekindle old ones
  • Financial problems

Failing to share responsibility for raising the children

Raising children includes a lot of joy but also a lot of work and a lot of money. Constant communication is needed to decide which parents will make sure the child is fed, attends school, develops a moral sense, enjoys healthy social relationships, and much more. Parents need to continually attend school events, review their children’s homework, answer the child’s questions, and much more. Raising and disciplining children should be the responsibility of both parents.

When one parent feels the other parent isn’t making the proper contributions, resentments can form. Frustrations can linger. When the child’s needs aren’t being met, a parent may feel that divorce is the only way to force a solution.

Postponing problems instead of discussing them

Relationships involve daily decisions about a variety of issues such as the activities of the day and the chores to be done. Long-term decisions such as what each spouse wants with their career are a part of marriage. Spouses need to find the time to ask about the concerns of the other and to discuss their issues openly. When problems continually get passed down the road, one spouse may feel that all hope of communication is lost.

An unsatisfactory sex life

Some sexual problems can be resolved with communication. Many times though, the marriage just doesn’t have the romantic and intimate spark it once did. The desire to be intimate is gone. When the fire simply isn’t burning, many spouses decide that the marriage should end.

Spouses who develop new relationships or rekindle old ones

When a spouse reconnects with an old girlfriend or boyfriend or is intimate with a non-spouse, a serious breach of the marital contract has occurred. Some couples can come to terms with an outside relationship. Many couples can’t. The injured spouse feels they have no choice but to dissolve the marriage and hire a family lawyer.

Financial problems

One additional cause, not discussed in the Huffington Post articles, is financial difficulty. If one spouse is earning a living and the other isn’t, then the working spouse may feel the need to end the marriage. A spouse who sacrifices a career to raise the children may fee she/he is being taken for granted. Sometimes, even when both spouses are working there isn’t enough to money to pay the bills. If one spouse has a costly addiction or an inability to handle money that too can force the end of a marriage.

There are many other reasons marriages fail. Whatever the reasons, a spouse who isn’t happy with the marriage can and should consult with a respected Sevierville lawyer who can explain your options and help you establish your priorities. At the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates, our lawyers help clients navigate these upsetting times. Speaking to a divorce lawyer can help provide for your needs and those of children. To speak with a respected family lawyer, please call us at 615-977-9370 or use our contact form to make an appointment. We represent spouses and parents in Franklin, Columbia, Brentwood, and nearby Tennessee areas.

Posted in Divorce

Major Reasons Marriages Fail (2024)

FAQs

What is the primary reason marriages fail? ›

Top 13 Signs a Marriage is at Risk of Divorce
1Lack of showing an interest in one another48%
2Poor conflict resolution47%
3Avoiding each other45%
4Lack of respect38%
5Increased criticism to or from my partner38%
8 more rows
Aug 15, 2023

What is the #1 reason married couples divorce? ›

According to various studies, the four most common causes of divorce are lack of commitment, infidelity or extramarital affairs, too much conflict and arguing, and lack of physical intimacy. The least common reasons are lack of shared interests and incompatibility between partners.

How do you let go and let God fix your marriage? ›

Here are six ways you can let God heal your marriage.
  1. Pray. The best way to fight any battle is on your knees. ...
  2. Be still. When fighting God's battle with Him, sometimes you can do the most good by being still. ...
  3. Trust God. ...
  4. Face the battle. ...
  5. Let God do the talking. ...
  6. Give thanks.
Jun 8, 2016

Why do 50% of marriages fail? ›

It wasn't calculated off of the actual number of marriages and divorces. Instead, it was a projection from the 1970s. The projection was based on the baby-boomer generation and stated that if 2% of those married continued to divorce each year, the divorce rate would eventually hit 50%.

At what point do most marriages fail? ›

While there are numerous divorce studies with conflicting statistics, the data points to two periods during a marriage when divorces are most common: years 1 – 2 and years 5 – 8. During those two high-risk timeframes, two years in particular that stand out as the most common years for divorce — years 7 and 8.

Why do most marriages fail in America? ›

Lack of Commitment Is the Most Common Reason for Divorce

In fact, 75% of individuals and couples cited lack of commitment as the reason for their divorce. This was the most common cause of a marriage ending, exceeding even infidelity.

What is the number one conflict in divorce? ›

The Leading Cause at 46%: Career Choices

Forbes Advisor's research reveals that career choices are the primary concern for an astonishing 46% of divorced couples.

Why do long-term marriages fail? ›

While many marriages fail shortly after a couple marries, divorce after 30 years is fairly common too. A marriage breakdown after 30 years may be due to the empty nest syndrome, infidelity, different interests, retirement, or other reasons. Some spouses just want their independence.

Who initiates divorce more often? ›

Whether accepted or not, there is one fact that cannot be disputed. And that is that women initiate divorce more often than men on average. Numerous studies have shown this. In fact, nearly 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women.

Does God want you to stay in an unhappy marriage? ›

God designed marriage to last for life, a strong commitment that reflects God's master design. His will for you is to stay married unless there is ongoing and unrepentant abuse or infidelity. You must renew your commitment to your spouse, even if you feel that you have an unhappy marriage.

What does God expect out of a marriage? ›

Marriage will be a picture of Christ's relationship to the church. God's expectation is that husbands and wives will develop an enduring love by keeping their eyes on the “marriage” between Christ and His church (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:2233).

Can I ask God to save my marriage? ›

When the two of you were married, you made what is called a covenant. Different from a contract, a covenant is sacred and made with God. That means God is in it with you, and you can pray for Him to restore your marriage. Even if you feel like it is too late.

What percent of marriages are sexless? ›

Approximately 15-20% of married couples report being in a sexless marriage. What factors contribute to sexless marriages? Factors that contribute to sexless marriages include stress, medical issues, mental health struggles, low libido or sexual desire mismatch, lack of emotional connection, and relationship conflicts.

What profession has the highest divorce rate? ›

Bartenders: With an estimated overall divorce rate of 52.7%, bartending tops the list of professions with high divorce rates. The social nature of the job, coupled with irregular hours, is a major factor behind this. Flight Attendants: The divorce rate among flight attendants is approximately 50.5%.

What year of marriage is divorce most common? ›

While there are countless divorce studies with conflicting statistics, the data points to two periods during a marriage when divorces are most common: years 1 – 2 and years 5 – 8. Of those two high-risk periods, there are two years in particular that stand out as the most common years for divorce — years 7 and 8.

What is the number one reason second marriages fail? ›

Money, Sex, and In-Laws

The above “big three” issues are the primary problems that plague most first marriages. These same issues also impact subsequent marriages—but even more so. The money problem becomes even more troublesome in second marriages due to child support and spousal maintenance payments.

Why do marriages become sexless? ›

For example, emotional distress, sexual health issues, or frequent arguments may make it challenging to connect physically, even in a successful marriage. Stress in other areas of your world, including work or child-rearing, may also be impacting your relationship and causing you to stop engaging in intercourse.

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