Are More Women Initiating Divorce in NY?

According to a recent survey by the World Population Review of people in New York, there are more divorced women than men. Below, we explore possible reasons for this and where you can get qualified legal help you can trust at whatever stage you are at in your divorce.

The Difference in Numbers

The Review suggests that even though there are more men living in New York than women, fewer of them currently describe their marital status as divorced. According to the survey data, about 10% of women are divorced, compared to only 7% of men. Even though the difference isn’t more than a few percentage points, the disparity is significant enough that it’s worth considering the potential causes and potentially contributing factors.

Here are some other notable statistics from the survey:

• Overall, divorce rates in New York have stayed the same over the last 10 years
• There are more men who get married in New York, than women – 48% compared to 43%
• Half of all couples divorcing in the state have children under the age of 18
• No-fault divorce due to irreconcilable differences is the most common type of divorce in New York

Why Are There More Divorced Women in New York?

A look into what life is like for the average married woman in today’s society can offer clues as to what’s behind the decisions of women who divorce their husbands. While not all New York divorce cases initiated by women are caused by these issues, they are common enough that a pattern can be identified.

There are a lot of different things that may be contributing to the reason why more women are divorced in New York than men. Here are some of the most common issues couples face today that may be changing the landscape of who’s getting divorced and why.

Long Island, NY Women Are Overburdened

No longer are women just caring for the home and children in a marriage – many of them are also working to help make ends meet. This puts a lot of stress on the woman, especially if her spouse doesn’t contribute much to family and household tasks.

Even though women have largely stepped up to the plate in this new world where two incomes are often a necessity to run a household on Long Island, NY, many men consider domestic duties to still be the responsibility of the wife. In this situation, regardless of whether or not the woman works, she often still has to come home and make meals, take care of the children, and do household chores.

It’s easy for anyone to get burnt out when they’re doing so much and there’s no relief in sight. Many women who are doing it all are realizing that logistically, they’re already taking care of everything and they don’t need a spouse to help them do it. In this case, women are more likely to be the ones initiating the divorce.

NY Women are Earning More

A 2019 study by the University of Bath reported that husbands of wives who made more than 40% of the total household income had experienced psychological distress as a result.

The report indicated that the more money a wife earns, the more some husbands will be affected and potentially feel the most troubled when she provides him with complete financial support.

This jealousy can cause tension and arguments between spouses that make day to day living challenging. And over time, these fights can start to erode the relationship and cause irreparable damage. When men don’t feel as appreciated and feel like their spouse is bringing more value to the relationship than they are, they’re more likely to be the ones filing for divorce.

She’s No Longer Okay with Certain Behaviors

As women age, they often worry less about not having a partner in life – either because they’re more comfortable alone or more confident in their ability to attract someone. When this occurs, women often get less tolerant of certain behaviors that were more easily tolerated in the beginning of the relationship. This can be confusing and frustrating for men who aren’t doing anything differently or who haven’t changed.

Infidelity

Cheating is one of the most common causes of divorce in New York, regardless of gender. Not only does infidelity shatter the trust between two spouses, it also begins to erode the intimacy they once shared. Even when both partners have the intent to work things out, sometimes it’s not possible due to underlying feelings of hurt and betrayal.

Infidelity changes the entire relationship dynamic whether you want it to or not. Couples therapy may help, but it’s also often likely that the changes are permanent and one or both partners aren’t able to move on. In this case, separation is usually imminent, and spouses of either gender will initiate divorce because their partner cheated.

Call Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. Now For Legal Help

If you’re considering getting divorced, or your spouse has told you they want to end the marriage, you need to seek legal help as quickly as possible. Regardless of which side of the divorce you are on, it’s important to have the support of a qualified lawyer who can help you navigate the challenges that are ahead of you. The longer you delay, the higher the chance that your case will have a bad outcome.

Contact Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. now for more information about divorce laws in New York or to book a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options. Dial 631-923-1910 or fill out our short online contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.