Myth: 50% of American marriages are ending in divorce

[chili74 0]

I found this article interesting regarding a common statement we hear all the time.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/d/divorce.htm

"University of Chicago sociologist and researcher Linda Waite told USA Today that the 50-percent divorce stats were based more on assumptions than facts."

[Niels Bohr 72]

I'm surprised it's not death.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

The statistic used to justify that statement was that the number of divorces was 50% of the number of marriages in same year--and did not take into account pre-existing marriages (of which the number was about 40x larger than number in one year).

In 1981, for example, there were 2.4 million marriages and 1.2 million divorces. At first glance, that would seem like a 50-percent divorce rate.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Even if 50% of marriages did end in divorce, that means another 50% don't. That's point got lost somewhere along the way.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Yup.

[Otto 83]

Even if 50% of marriages did end in divorce, that means another 50% don't. ^{end in death...}

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Entire trio of G.B. Shaw's classifications of falsehoods (lies, d@mn lies, statistics) is spanned in that one claim.

Edited May 13, 2009 by CherryXS

[NickD 203]

Entire trio of G.B. Shaw's classifications of falsehoods (lies, d@mn lies, statistics) is spanned in that one claim.

Depending upon whom you want to believe, can be anywhere from 25 to 50%, but haven't found any higher than 50%. Whatever, certainly something to think about and as a man, you sure can get cleaned out in this country. Only words of advice, don't think marriage is going to improve your relationship, and if you have thoughts about changing anything about the person you intend to marry, keep on looking.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Imagine that 100% of American marriage ended in divorce. Geezes.

Speaking of a divorce, there's a group that want a marriage between three people legal.

New Forms of Marriage

[fozzie 41]

95% of all statistics are made up

[Peikko 1,575]

And made up by people with an agenda. I wonder which agenda is best served by creating the illusion that society is falling apart with high rates of divorce and broken families?

[nowhereman 1]

And made up by people with an agenda. I wonder which agenda is best served by creating the illusion that society is falling apart with high rates of divorce and broken families?

I don't think there's a conspiracy about the divorce rate & I also believe that the rate actually is somewhere around 50%. I've done plenty of difficult things in my life, but having a successful marriage is definitely one of the hardest (and yes I have remarried). We live in a disposable society and if things go sour most people would rather bail out of the marriage than do what it takes to make it work.

P.s. With that being said I am very happy with my current marriage!

[Peikko 1,575]

You believe something knowing that it is statistically erroneous? Interesting

[nowhereman 1]

You believe something knowing that it is statistically erroneous? Interesting

I've taken several statistics classes in my day (3 college degrees) so I certainly don't discount statistical information, but at the same time like others have said statistics can be manipulated. Basically I take both personal experiences (divorce rates of friends, co-workers, family members, etc) & known statistics in account to form my opinion.

[Peikko 1,575]

So personal anecdotal evidence carries more weight than evidence from research? Or, are you saying that you have research evidence that contradicts the evidence presented in this article and that this is backed up by personal experience?