When Age Gaps Lead To Divorce

They say that age is nothing but a number. But is that really true when you’re married?

Nobody bats an eye when a couple has an age gap of 2-3 years. But when that age gap increases to 15-20 years or more, people start talking. While it’s easy to see why a 40-year-old man would find a woman in her 20s attractive, why would a woman want someone old enough to be her father?

Age gaps are especially shocking when the woman is older. Our society dictates that men should be attracted to younger women. An older woman looking for young men is considered a “cougar.”

While age does not necessarily define happiness, research shows that certain age gaps come with a higher risk of divorce. There’s one age gap in particular: when the woman is three or more years older than the man.

What the Statistics Say

Statistics show that the age of the partners can impact how likely a marriage will end in divorce. Men are more likely to end relationships in which they are the younger partners. In fact, if a woman is at least three years older than him, the chances that he will initiate divorce increase by a whopping 87%. Interestingly, when the woman is older, her chances of initiating a divorce can decrease by as much as 23%.

So what happens when the tables are turned? When a wife is at least three years younger than her husband, the odds increase by 38% that she will initiate divorce. In this situation, the husband’s odds of asking for divorce decrease by 50%.

So what happens when the age gap is bigger than three years? For each additional year that a wife is older than her husband, the husband’s odds of initiating divorce increase by 8%.

The results of another study showed that men were “the most satisfied” when they had younger wives. In fact, satisfaction increases for every year that a husband is older than his wife.

Women did not feel the same way, however. They tend to be more satisfied when their husband is younger. But again, men did not feel the same way. Studies show that men’s high level of satisfaction fades away after around 6-10 years of marriage. Over time, couples with the largest age gaps seem to have larger declines in marital satisfaction over time. Those who are similar in age tended to stay satisfied longer.

Contact a Maryland Family Law Attorney Today

There are many factors that can lead to divorce and age is just one of them. Some people are happier with younger or older partners.

The Columbia divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. can help you understand your options once you end your marriage. We can help you deal with all the legal and financial components. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (410) 774-5987.

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