New Queen’s University Study Links Life Expectancy and Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on April 16, 2012

A recent study released by Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, has established a correlation between life expectancy and the likelihood of divorce, according to The Huffington Post. The study’s author, a post-doctoral fellow in the math department of Queen’s University, states that “the actual life expectancy of a province or a health region can predict when men and women get married” and the rate at which they divorce.

The study focused on the relationship between life decisions and lifespan. During the research process, population statistics were compared with birth records, marriage certificates, and other court documents. In the U.S., Census data collected by Ohio’s Bowling Green State University identified that the baby boomer divorce rate has jumped more than 50 percent over the last 20 years, even though the national divorce rate has stabilized. This statistic is very telling and points to a tendency for people to not tolerate being unhappy in marriage as they live longer.

For people who have shorter life expectancies, it is less likely that they would divorce knowing that they may not have the time to find a happier/better relationship. Although additional research needs to be conducted, this study suggests that the less time you have, the more satisfied you will be with your marriage, even if it is one you would choose to end should you have had the time.

The decision to divorce is a complicated process. There are many factors that contribute to a person’s decision to divorce, some consciously weighed and some not, but each and every person ultimately needs to make their decision based on the quality of their future life, however long it may be. If you are wondering whether divorce is the right decision for your relationship, the knowledgeable Illinois divorce lawyers at Nottage and Ward can help you make an informed decision. Call us today for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.