Though more and more marriages are ending in divorce, so we keep on getting married, blithely oblivious to the obvious pitfalls of such an outmoded tradition.
The day is likely to be the most expensive single event of your lifetime, and so it is perhaps unsurprising that it is extremely hard for the following years to compete. Indeed, it would seem in our modern society that there are few better ways of delivering a crushing blow to one's relationship than by getting married.
According to science, though, there are several factors that increase the probability of one's happy marriage ending in divorce. Here are a few of them.
1. Getting married as teenagers or after the age of 32
The risk is particularly high for teen couples.
2. When the husband doesn't work full time
Wives' employment status had little bearing on the chances of divorce.
3. Not completing high school
4. Contempt for one's partner
This one is rather self explanatory.
5. Being overly affectionate early in the relationship
Science suggests that this establishes a precedent that is hard to live up to in the years that follow.
6. Giving in during conflict
This is not an effective way of dealing with disagreements.
If you are married - or indeed considering getting married - it is well worth thinking about these risk factors. Then again, if you believe you have found the one, what is science to hold you back? Happy dating.
