Forget sex or politics or religion; loneliness is the subject that clears out a room.
– Douglas Coupland, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture
Back in the day, etiquette experts advised that you never discuss sex, religion, or politics in polite company. But in today's partisan times, it seems that it's hard to get away from controversial discussions. For many couples, fighting about politics is becoming much more common. We see article after article documenting how today's politics are ruining marriages.
The numbers don't lie. According to a recent Wakefield Research study, one in ten Americans report having ended a relationship due to political differences. The numbers are even higher among millennials, with 22% reporting ending a relationship because of politics. A whopping 29% of Americans in a relationship or marriage report that the current political climate causes tension in their relationship.
Divorce Rates in Rhode Island
While tensions may be increasing due to politics and relationships may be ending as a result, divorce is actually on the decline in Rhode Island. Over the last 35 years, the divorce rate has steadily declined in the U.S., and Rhode Island has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country. In 2018, Rhode Island's divorce rate dropped to just 4.9%.
Reasons for Divorce
Unfortunately, it's difficult to know exactly why a marriage ends. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the top reasons for divorce include:
- Extramarital affairs and cheating;
- Financial problems;
- Communication issues;
- Physical or emotional abuse;
- Addictions;
- Incompatibility; and
Rhode Island has both fault and no-fault divorces available. Courts will grant a fault-based divorced based on:
- Impotence;
- Adultery;
- Extreme cruelty;
- Willful desertion of more than five years;
- Continued drunkenness;
- A spouse's chronic drug use;
- Neglect or refusal of an able husband to provide necessities for the subsistence of his wife for one year;
- Gross misbehavior or wickedness in violation of the marital covenant.
Rhode Island courts will also grant no-fault divorces for irreconcilable differences.
Unfortunately, “irreconcilable differences” don't tell us exactly why a couple divorced. When political differences lead to divorce, it may be likely that fights over politics are just symptoms of a larger underlying problem. Maybe Douglas Coupland was right, and loneliness really is the one thing people don't like to discuss.
If you are contemplating a divorce, we know this is difficult for you and your family. We can help you explore your options. Just contact Inman & Tourgee online or call (401) 823-9200.
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