Women more likely to initiate divorces
California couples may be interested in a recent study that found that women are much likelier to file for divorce from their husbands than are men. Interestingly, the same study found there was no difference between women and men in who was more likely to initiate a breakup of a non-marital relationship, however.
According to the research presented to the American Sociological Association, women petitioned for divorce in 69 percent of the divorce cases, while men petitioned for divorce in just 31 percent of them. The study was conducted between 2009 and 2015, and the researchers collected data during that time period from 2,622 married and unmarried adults.
Researchers had originally thought that the percentages of the gender initiating the break up or divorce would be the same for both unmarried and married couples. They believe they instead found the results they did because of differing pressures experienced by women in nonmarital versus marital relationships. According to the researchers, while strides towards equality have been made in many settings, many people still cling to traditional roles for spouses. Women who are unmarried and simply in a relationship with an opposite-sex partner do not necessarily have these same pressures.
A person who is considering getting a divorce may benefit by getting advice from a family law attorney. Legal counsel may help the client to gather the information needed, such as income and expense statements. Attorneys may also then help their clients by filing the petition as well as the accompanying documents to initiate the divorce. In some cases, it may be possible for a divorce to be resolved more quickly through mediation.