The Growing Baby Boomer Divorce Rate

As baby boomers reach retirement age, the divorce rate among couples of this generation has been steadily increasing. This trend is a stark contrast to the divorce rate of previous generations, which declined as people aged. Sadly, many long-term marriages are ending in divorce just as their golden years should be beginning. This article will deep dive into the reasons behind this phenomenon and discuss its implications on society.

Divorce Rate of Baby Boomers

As Baby Boomers continue to age, the divorce rate among this generation is increasing significantly. According to recent research from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the overall divorce rate for Baby Boomers has doubled since 1990. This trend is being attributed to a combination of factors such as longer life expectancy, higher disposable incomes, and changes in social norms that make it easier than ever before for people to end a marriage and start over.

Baby Boomers have the highest divorce rate of all generations – 34.9%.

The NCHS report found that about 10 percent of Baby Boomers aged 50–59 are divorced, compared with 8 percent in 1990. Among those aged 60–64, the percentage more than tripled from 4 percent in 1990 to 14 percent today. Additionally, there was also an increase among older adults aged 65 and older—a group where traditionally divorce had been relatively rare.

Demographics of Boomer Divorce

Boomer divorce, or divorces among people born in the post-World War II baby boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964), is a growing phenomenon. According to statistics from the US Census Bureau, in 1990, only 10% of people aged 45-54 were divorced; by 2015, that number had jumped to 25%. This rise has been attributed to many factors such as increased independence of women and more acceptance of divorce within society.

The demographics of boomer divorce reveal some interesting trends. For one thing, couples who have been together for longer tend to stay together; those who have been married fewer than 10 years are more likely to get divorced. There is also evidence that boomer couples are more likely to opt for mediation or other alternative dispute resolution techniques than their younger counterparts when it comes to divorce proceedings.

Marriage Duration of Baby Boomers

The Baby Boomers are the generation born between the years 1946 and 1964. This generation is unique in many ways, most notably due to their longevity in marriage. According to a recent study, Baby Boomer couples are staying married longer than any other generation before them.

This could be attributed to many factors, most notably a desire for stability during such a tumultuous period in history. Although divorce rates soared for this age range during the 1970s and 1980s, they appear to have stabilized since then with many couples growing together over time instead of growing apart.

Overall, studies suggest that Baby Boomers remain more committed than any other generation when it comes to marriage duration—with an average marriage lasting approximately 47 years!

Reasons for Boomer Divorce

As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, divorce remains a prominent issue. Statistics indicate that those ages 50 and older are more likely to divorce than any other group. There are several contributing factors as to why this is the case.

For one, marriage has evolved over time and today’s couples face drastically different expectations than those of their parent’s generation. Many Boomers married young with hopes of settling down for life, however, many find themselves divorced in mid-life due to changes in values or lifestyles. Additionally, many couples who previously stayed together despite underlying issues are now more likely to seek out a “happier ever after” through separation or divorce.

Finally, increased financial stability has allowed Baby Boomers greater freedom when it comes to divorcing their long-term partners.

Financial Impact on Boomers

The divorce rate among Baby Boomers has increased significantly in recent years. According to research, the divorce rate among Baby Boomer couples over 50 stands at a staggering 25%. This is double what it was twenty years ago and 40% higher than the current national average. With this high rate of divorce, comes a financial impact that can be hard for couples to manage.

When considering the financial impact of a late-life divorce on aging adults, there are many factors to consider; such as lost income if one spouse stops working and decreased retirement savings due to having to split resources between two households. Social Security benefits may also be affected if they were based on one spouse’s earning potential before the marriage ended. Additionally, healthcare costs could increase as each partner would now need their own health insurance plans instead of relying on their partner’s employer-sponsored plan.

Effects on Children & Grandchildren

The Baby Boomer generation has had a lasting effect on the generations that followed them. As divorce rates rose in the era of the Baby Boomers, this too has had an impact on their children and grandchildren.

Divorce can have many devastating effects on both children and grandchildren. Studies show that children of divorced parents are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, as well as to struggle in school or with relationships. Grandchildren may find that they have limited access to their grandparents due to family conflict or distance caused by divorce.

Ultimately, it is important for families affected by divorce to take steps toward healing these wounds so that generational trauma can be avoided and relationships between family members can be strengthened.

Conclusions

The Baby Boomer generation is experiencing an unprecedented surge in divorce rates over the last few decades. The reasons behind this are vast and varied, from a lack of communication among partners to financial instability. It is important for couples of all ages to focus on communication, trust, and taking the time to invest in their relationship. There are many resources available for couples who feel like they may be on the brink of divorce, such as counseling or group therapy sessions.