4 Common Reasons Why Women Over 50 Get a Divorce

You may have heard the term “Gray Divorce.” It describes the trend of growing divorce rates among people aged 50 and older. Data from Bowling Green State University’s National Center for Family and Marriage Research concluded that divorce rates among older people have increased significantly over the past 35 years. The biggest increase was among those 65 and older. 

Divorce can be damaging to a woman’s self-esteem, financial status, career, and social life. So why are more women over 50 opting to end their marriages? No doubt many of the reasons are the same as for younger couples, but some factors apply specifically to older adults. 

1. Societal Changes

Older women grew up in an era when getting married was considered almost compulsory. In the last several decades, women have gained new rights and respect in the workplace. They have more career options and don’t need to rely on a husband for financial security as they once did. 

There was a time when people stayed in unsatisfying marriages because of societal expectations and stigmas around divorce. Divorced people were considered “failures,” and divorced women specifically faced scrutiny regarding their morality and their value as a person. 

Now, with more career options and less stigma around divorce, women may choose to leave unhappy relationships instead of feeling they have no other choice. 

2. Taking New Directions

Life expectancy continues to increase for men and women. Females now have a life expectancy of 82.1 years, and males live to 77.2 on average. The possibility of living longer may encourage people to think about making changes and making the most of opportunities they once thought had passed. 

Divorce is sometimes viewed as a clean slate. Being unmarried gives women the chance to pursue goals of their own — things their husbands may not be interested in or support. Both people in the relationship may view marriage dissolution as an opportunity to embrace new paths without the responsibilities of marriage. 

3. Empty Nest

Some married couples agree to stay together because they believe it’s best for their young children, not necessarily because they enjoy being together. Once the kids grow up and leave home, the couple finds they no longer have a reason to stay together. 

Women who have devoted most of their time to raising children and caring for the home may discover that without “chicks in the nest,” they have nothing left in common with their husbands. 

If a relationship has been stagnant for 10 or even 20 years, it won’t magically come back to life when children become adults or parents become grandparents. Some women may find the distance has grown too great and divorce is the answer. 

4. Poor Communication

Communication is essential at every stage of a relationship, but for women over 50, poor communication may be the factor that makes a marriage intolerable. In long relationships, individuals go through many ups and downs, illnesses, losses, and failures. Keeping connections strong through these challenging times takes effort from both people in a marriage. 

Women who feel disconnected from their spouses after many years of marriage may finally simply give up trying. At some point, ending a marriage is less painful than feeling you’re the only one working to keep it healthy. A collaborative divorce might be possible when both people agree it’s time to end the marriage. 

Contact the Orlando Divorce Lawyers at McMichen, Cinami & Demps for Help Today

Better options, more respect, less stigma, fewer concerns about child custody, and an unwillingness to compromise their personal happiness for others are some of the reasons women over 50 are seeking divorce. 

No one should stay in an unhappy or unhealthy marriage with a neglectful or disinterested partner, no matter their age. Leaving a relationship and starting a new life is never easy, but it can be easier when you have supportive friends and family and good legal advice. 

Contact the Orlando divorce attorneys at McMichen, Cinami & Demps for a free consultation. 

Contact the experienced Orlando divorce lawyers at McMichen, Cinami & Demps today for legal assistance. Contact our Orlando, FL office at (407) 898-2161 to schedule a free consultation.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps – Orlando Office
1500 E Concord St
Orlando, FL 32803