Age Gap May Increase The Divorce Risk

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Though age doesn’t define happiness, the age gap can impact the sustainability of a marriage. A recent study revealed that the age gap makes a man 87 Percent more likely to ask for a divorce. Certainly, the age difference is not the only factor that led a relationship to divorce. Because many couples with huge age differences are living together happily. The age gap is completely irrelevant for their relationship.

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However, the study showed that age differences can influence how likely a marriage can last. Especially, when a woman is older than her husband, the chances of initiating the divorce rises. Because in this situation, men often turn away from relationships if they’re younger than his wife.

The age of the husband may matter

The study found that the chances of divorce increase by 87 percent If the wife is three years or more older than a husband. However, the researchers also mentioned that the age gap is not the only factor that determines whether the marriage will be successful or not. Researcher Paula England and her team analyzed the data of couples who have age gaps. Researchers collected the data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). They found 747 divorced or separated cases among 3,622 couples.

marriage issues
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A co-author of the study, Terra McKinnish said, “We find that men who are married to younger wives are the most satisfied, and men who are married to older wives are the least satisfied,” Professor Terra also mentioned, “Women are also particularly dissatisfied when they’re married to older husbands and particularly satisfied if they’re married to younger husbands.”

How does the level of attraction fall

The study also mentioned that men’s level of attraction reduces drastically within six to ten years. Even men with younger wives didn’t experience satisfaction in their marriage. The high level of expectation faded away quickly.

age gap
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McKinnish explained, “These results indicate that there is a higher level of marital satisfaction for men with much younger wives at the beginning of the marriage, this higher level of satisfaction dissipates rather rapidly and is erased after 6 to 10 years of marriage.” McKinnish also added, “Over time, the people who are married to a much older or younger spouse tend to have larger declines in marital satisfaction over time compared to those who are married to spouses who are similar in age.”