Improving US economy blamed for rising divorce rate: data

According to new data by the US Census Bureau, the number of Americans who have divorced their partners increased for the third year in a row to 2.4 million in 2012. This was seen highly unusual after the divorce rate plunged in the 18-month recession which ended June of 2009. Bloomberg said that despite the emotional and social impact it has to society, the high divorce rate somewhat boosted businesses, particularly in housing, appliances and furnishings. 

Moody's Analytics Inc chief economist Mark Zandi said, "As the economy normalizes, so too do family dynamics. Birth rates and divorce rates are rising. We may even see them rise strongly in the next couple of years, as households who put off these life-changing events decide to act."

Marquette University professor Abdur Chowdhury said that the attractive prices homes for sale are now fetching had urged married couples to reassess their unions. He added, "In many cases after divorce, people sell their homes and divide up the proceeds, (which provides) each of them with a nest egg to begin their separate lives."

Should this logic be followed, courts could expect a surge in divorce trials real soon.

Bloomberg in its report, cited an example in Lawrence and Amy Derose, who had been married 35 years. The news outlet said Amy, who said that her marriage with her husband has already been deteriorated, managed to stay together in the last few years for the sake of their engineering firm they have built together.

She told the news outlet, "The business was hanging on by a thread and we had to hang on. We couldn't afford to split. He needed me in the business and I needed him."

Amy said the couple has decided to move forward with their plans for divorce next month as their business had been faring better due to the improving economy. She also disclosed that she is looking forward to secure a new job outside of their engineering firm.

Tags

US Census Bureau, US economy

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