Why Women File for Divorce More Often Than Men

For decades, women have been more likely to file for divorce than men. What’s behind this trend? Here are some of the most common reasons women cite:

• Financial independence: Women started working outside the home and have had access to credit and bank accounts relatively recently. Without access to income, it’s much harder to leave and divorce a spouse. Greater economic power enables women to leave difficult relationships, rather than relying on their spouse to provide financial assistance.
• Infidelity: Anyone can cheat, but women are actually more likely to divorce their spouse over it. Studies suggest that this may be due to women placing higher value on emotional intimacy and fidelity.
• Changing gender roles: In the past, most women were expected to stay home and raise children. Today, women are more likely to seek higher education and have joined the workforce in droves. In turn, society is more accepting of women who don’t want to stay home caring for a family. These changing gender roles make it easier for women to leave partners who are dismissive or don’t value their contributions to the household.
• Domestic violence: Unfortunately, domestic violence is a common reason for divorce. While abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, women are more likely to be abused. Women who have been abused by their partners may file for divorce as a way to protect themselves and their children.

Leaving a marriage can be difficult, but an experienced divorce lawyer can help you navigate the process. Reach out to the knowledgeable divorce and custody attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP today.