Does a Recession Decrease the Divorce Rate?

Divorce is an expensive proposition for most couples. It's never an appealing process and is often ripe with a range of negative emotions. The cost of Staten Island divorce lawyers, child support, alimony, an accountant or a private investigator, if needed, is daunting. Not to mention counseling and psychologist bills that many incur following or during a divorce. Consequently, as we are in an economic recession, the divorce rate has seen a dip.

According to the report, 'State of our Unions 2009' by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, in an economic downturn, couples are less likely to file for divorce. For some, it's simply not financially viable. That second income is very important to some and giving that up in favor of the many fees and additional expenses associated with a divorce is just not an option.

The percentage of divorced females in 1970 was 3.5. It increased to 8.9% in 1990, but has remained fairly steady since, arriving at 11.1% in 2008. The number of divorces among women 15 years and older decreased from 17.5 per 1,000 women to 16.9 per 1,000 women from 2007 to 2008. A peak of 22.6 per 1,000 women was seen in 1980. The report also points out that, according to Michael Gerson of the Washington Post, divorce also declined during the Great Depression.

The financial obligations that are so often associated with divorce probably have a significant impact on the decline in the divorce rate, although it is important to point out that the strain imposed by the recession on wallets could also put a strain on marriages.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.