Divorce rates soar among baby boomers

The results of a recent study I saw showed some interesting facts about an increase in divorces in the baby boomer generation.  It stated that the number of over 60s getting divorced is rising each year, with the number of men in their 60s getting divorced having doubled in 20 years.  There are many reasons which may explain this. People are living longer and enjoying a longer retirement and may not be prepared to put up with an unhappy relationship at a time when they should be able to enjoy themselves without the demands of work or growing children.  Sometimes it can be the reality of spending every day together, precisely because such demands have gone, that can make couples realise they no longer have anything in common.

It is said baby boomers hold 80% of the UK’s wealth and many couples will decide it is not worth struggling on in a difficult marriage when there are sufficient assets for them both to go their separate ways. Whilst it is not true of every case, some clients I have seen in this situation are able to manage their divorce in a very amicable way and are able to remain good friends afterwards. People are more aware now I think of the effect of stress on their health and well being, and are not prepared to put up with a stressful relationship which is making them unwell. Younger couples may decide to stay together for the sake of the children or because financially it is difficult to separate to two households, but where the children have grown up and a good asset base has been built up, those practical considerations are no longer a concern.

A report by Relate stated older people are far more likely to be living on their own than previous generations and were concerned that could lead to isolation and loneliness. Whilst obviously I would not want to detract from those concerns, I have to say my experience of clients in this generation going through divorce is that they  seem to have a strong network of friends and family around them and I often see grown up children giving a lot of support to a parent going through divorce proceedings. Given the rise in divorces of this age group they are also more likely to have other friends or relatives that have been through a similar experience.

 

Sally Leaman