Researchers have discovered a surprising and alarming trend that is happening in Texas and around the country. Those who have close friends who get a divorce are 75 percent more likely to get divorced themselves. The study conducted by Brown University, Harvard and the University of California at San Diego found that even the divorce of a friend of a friend can have an impact on the likelihood of separation.
The basis of the family law study is that when one friend gets a divorce, other friends begin to imagine the possibilities of a life without their spouse. They take account of their lives and begin to believe if their friend could successfully go through the process of a divorce, they could as well. Researchers concluded that for many, this is simply a case of the grass looking greener on the other side.
A Chicago-based divorce coach lends credibility to the findings of the study from her own personal experience with friends when her marriage ended. As soon as her friends found out about her divorce, many of them began avoiding her. At first, she was hurt and surprised by their actions during such a difficult time. However, she soon realized that her divorce was actually causing the problems in her friends’ marriages to come out in the open. Divorce became an actual option for them, especially when they saw how happy it could make some people.
Experts in the area of marriage suggest that couples should spend at least 16 hours of time together per week. They highlight that many new couples put in the effort to spend time together in the beginning. However, it is not as common for couples to put in the work to spend time together after they have been married for years.
For those going through a divorce, the decisions made during this difficult time can have an impact on their lives for years to come. Consulting an experienced family law attorney for clarity and guidance throughout the legal process may make a tremendous difference in receiving a favorable outcome.