By most accounts, the U.S. economy has recovered from its recession-era depths in 2009. With more Americans going to work and houses not being foreclosed left and right, that should make the home a more harmonious place, right? Well, about that…
The Census Bureau began adding to its surveys divorce-related statistics in 2008, just as the recession starting hitting hard. Shortly thereafter, media outlets started reporting that according to researchers, the divorce rate had been dropping. A main factor was economic — couples could not afford to get divorced and maintain their standard of living.
The income decline that follows divorce is well documented. It hits women who have primary custody of children especially hard. According to a 2011 Family Research Council study, divorcing or separating mothers are almost three times more likely to live under the poverty line than those who remain married.
The same study finds the parent with custody of the children experiences a 52 percent drop in his or her family income after a divorce. Sociologist Philip N. Cohen of the University of Maryland calculated that, between 2009 and 2011, approximately 150,000 fewer divorces were filed than expected in the United States, according to Communities Digital News.
On the other side of that, a robust economy gives more opportunities to people. In turn, those opportunities allow people be break free from their current situation. It's this freedom that will rise all boats, including those looking to break free from the dock they're tethered to.
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As the economy improves, divorce rate will increase (Communities Digital News)
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