Reasons women seek divorce at a higher rate than men

More than two-thirds of divorces are initiated by women according to a 2015 study by the American Sociological Association. Women in Texas may file for divorce from their husbands for a number of reasons, but the underlying theme of all those reasons is that marriage tends to hold fewer advantages for women compared to men.

For example, even working women continue to do more housework than their husbands; one study reports that just 20% of husbands do daily housework compared to 49% of wives. For some women, career advancement can also strain the marriage. A 2019 study found that many men reported feeling distressed when their wives began making more money than them. Women who find that they are doing more than their share of the home and child care and who are also resented by their husbands for career success may decide they are better off unmarried.

Communication problems also hinder many marriages. Men tend to be more emotionally closed off from others, and a spouse may be their sole source of emotional support, making men less likely to divorce. Women tend to seek emotional support from friends as well. Additionally, with fewer women reliant on marriage for financial security, wives are less likely to put up with infidelity, abuse or other behaviors than in the past.

Some couples may be able to reach an agreement about child custody and property division through negotiation or mediation. Others may have to go to court. The advantages of coming to an agreement without going to court are that the process may be easier, less expensive and less stressful. It also puts control about the final outcome in the hands of both spouses instead of a judge. However, if one spouse is uncooperative, litigation may be the only option.


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law