Gray Divorce .. Why do some American women ask for separation after 20 years of marriage? 

Why is the number of American couples separating after many years of marriage together and aging together on the rise, and why do women want divorce more than men?

Only studies conducted on large numbers of married Americans may answer these questions.

We emphasize here that this report speaks specifically of American society, by referring to a report on the Ever de Health website, and other sources.

It provides general information, not intended to stereotype or give a specific image of any society.

Research published in The Journals of Gerontology found that more than 1 in 4 people divorced in the United States are over the age of 50, and that more than half of all divorces occur after 20 years of marriage.

Pew Research data from 2017 also found that the divorce rate after age 50 nearly doubled from 1990 to 2015. A study published in June 2020 in the Journal of Family Issues found that people over 50, Their positions shifted to become more supportive of divorce from 1994 to 2012.

According to Susan L. Brown, professor and chair of sociology at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The "gray divorce" rate actually doubled from 1990 to 2010, and has remained at that level ever since.

Gray divorce is a term given to the separation that occurs between spouses in the fall of life.

"Something is definitely going on between people in the second half of life that is different from younger adults," adds Brown, citing 2019 research at Bowling Green University and published by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research there.

Why is 'gray divorce' becoming more common now?

There are likely several factors that contribute to why more older "American" couples break up with previous generations.

Brown suggests that one reason is that the meaning of marriage has changed.

"Our cultural texts or our expectations of what constitutes a successful marriage have changed over time," she explains.

A good marriage is now defined by questions such as "Does this marriage make me the happiest person?"

and "Does my marriage contribute to my self-realization? If the answer is no, then divorce can be considered an acceptable solution."

Also, more women are now more economically independent, giving them an alternative path out of the unsatisfactory marriage that women of previous generations might not have had.

Finally, divorce - among American couples - at an older age may be more common than at any other time in history for the simple reason that people are living longer now, if you live to age 65, you may live another 20 years, which is A long period of time spent with someone you are no longer happy with.

Communication is the key to the success of any marriage (Deutsche Welle)

Why do women want to divorce?

According to the NYTimes website, most divorces between older spouses, as in younger spouses, are initiated by women.

As their work experience increases and they feel a greater sense of their own potential, they are less willing to just wait or continue in a marriage they no longer want.

Several studies have shown that approximately 70% of divorce cases are based on the will of women.

That's according to a 2015 research study by the American Sociological Association (ASA) that indicates that two-thirds of divorces start with women, and that number jumps by as much as 90% among college-educated women.

There are 3 main factors that may cause American women to initiate divorce more than men on average:

Women are more likely to feel regressed because of marriage

Michael Rosenfeld, associate professor of sociology at Stanford University and author of the ASA study, says marriage as an institution has been somewhat slow to catch up with expectations for gender equality.

Husbands still expect their wives to do the bulk of the housework and the bulk of childcare, and what's more, other studies have shown that when both parties in a marriage work full time, the woman still does more housework than the man in the relationship.

Women often find that their husbands do not support them when they are successful in their careers.

So if a woman has high ambitions and responsibilities in her career, high expectations and responsibilities at home, and does not get support from her husband in career advancement, she may not find marriage in her interest anymore.

According to studies, 70% of divorce cases are based on the will of women (pixels).

Women bear a greater emotional burden in marriage

Communication is key to the success of any marriage, but many couples actually struggle with a lack of communication.

Because men are not taught how to communicate and process emotions in general.

As a result, married women find that they are often the only emotional support system for the whole family.

Over time, this affects a person mentally, physically and certainly emotionally.

Without emotional support from husbands, wives often feel lonely and without a source of support within the marriage.

Women no longer tolerate unacceptable behavior

Women were not working as much today, and they were more dependent on their husbands for money.

But today the situation has changed and women no longer want to tolerate unacceptable behavior from their husbands as before, and this ultimately leads to their desire to leave the marital relationship.