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18 Shocking Statistics About Divorce

Divorces are common in modern society. Although the subject tends to evoke negative feelings, there are lots of positives that can be taken away from a divorce. For example, it gives you a chance to reinvent yourself, focus on the future, and build towards future happiness.

As most people know, approximately 50 percent of marriages in developed nations end in divorce. Interestingly, the United States Census Bureau reports that divorce rates for most age groups have been decreasing since 1996.

Here are a compiled list of interesting divorce facts:

  • Looking at the probably of divorce based on number of marriages, 41% of first marriages end in divorce, 60% of second marriages, and 73% of third marriages.

  • Men and women between the ages of 20 and 24 are most likely to divorce.

  • In the U.S., one divorce occurs approximately every 36 seconds, which amounts to 2,400 divorces per day, 16,800 divorces per week, and 876,000 divorces per year.

  • The average age for people going through their first divorce is 30.

  • After a divorce, people remarry approximately three years later, if they remarry at all.

  • 72% of custodial mothers receive a custody support award, while only 30% of custodial fathers receive a similar award.

  • The average length of a marriage that results in divorce is 8 years.

  • Women are more likely to default on their child support (47% vs 27%).

  • The largest celebrity divorce settlement occurred in 2009 between Mel and Robyn Gibson. Mel paid his ex-wife $425 million.

  • Britney Spears holds the celebrity record for shortest marriage. Her union with Jason Alexander lasted only 55 hours.

  • If you come from parents who are happily married, your risk of divorce decreases 14%.

  • Living together prior to marriage increases likelihood of divorce by as much as 40 percent.

  • College graduates have a 13% less chance of getting divorced.

  • Couples who wait until the age of 25 to marry are 24% less likely to get a divorce.

  • Couples with children are 40 percent less likely to divorce than those without kids.

  • 75 percent of children with divorced parents live with their mom.

  • Of all children living in the United States, 45% are being raised without fathers.

  • Half of American children will witness their parent’s marriage fail. Of those same children, almost half will also see the breakup of a parent’s second marriage.

* Source: http://1.usa.gov/1dMPvI2

All in all, divorces can be messy and unpleasant. The best way to rebuild is to embrace the stable parts of your life, accept help from positive people, and stay physically healthy. Better times are to come.