By Doc Louallen | ABC News
A noticeable trend is emerging among couples over 50– deciding to end their long-term marriages. This phenomenon, often referred to as “gray divorce,” has seen a significant increase, with the divorce rate for adults aged 50 plus more than doubling between 1990 and 2010.
A 2022 study published in The Journals of Gerontology reveals that 36% of U.S. adults going through a divorce were 50 or older. Notably, the only age group experiencing an increasing divorce rate is those aged 65 and older. Susan Brown, a sociology professor at Bowling Green State University, helped coin the term “gray divorce.”
“Women seem to be maybe a little bit more likely to initiate divorce, but many would argue that that could actually just be reflecting the fact that women are the ones who have to do these types of tasks within relationships,” Brown said.
“The increase in “gray divorces” over the past few years is staggering. I can’t put my finger on why this trend is happening. I suppose it could be because of a couple movies as this article suggests. But I think the more likely culprit is a change in how we view marriages as a society and a change in our perception about roles in a marriage.”
-Kaine Fisher, Rose Law Group senior partner, family law director, and certified family law specialist
