Facts

• It is estimated that 23 percent of American families are single-parent homes with children under the age of 18. In the United States, 45 to 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, and 60 to 70 percent of second marriages end in divorce. The highest rate of divorce for women occurs in those under 20 years of age; for men the highest rate occurs between the ages of 20 and 24. Many divorces take about a year to become finalized.
  
  

Causes

• The causes for divorce can vary. In many cases, there are common factors such as communication issues. When a couple has difficulty in communicating, it can lead to arguments and hostility that over a period of time can have a negative effect on the marriage. Financial problems are another common reason for divorce. Often couples do not discuss spending and saving habits prior to getting married, which can result in extreme financial stress later on. Infidelity is sometimes the cause of a couple dissolving a marriage, and incompatibility or irreconcilable differences have also been cited as reasons for divorce. Other reasons may include religious differences or different views on parenting. In many cases, sexual problems and drug addiction or abuse can also have a negative effect on the marriage.
  
  

Consequences

• The consequences of divorce can be far-reaching and long-lasting, especially if children are involved. In addition to feelings of depression or guilt, fear and anxiety are also common emotions after a divorce. Sometimes when one parent has to take over the financial responsibilities, the workload increases and the time spent with the children can diminish. As a result, the relationship can suffer. For adults the stress can become overwhelming. In some cases, the parenting skills initially diminish after a divorce, but improve later on when the parent becomes stabilized. Some research has shown that children from a divorced home show less academic achievement and twice the dropout rate than those from a non-divorced home.
  
  

Other Facts and Consequences

• Some children's behavioral problems have also occurred as a result of a divorce, although a majority of adolescents do not experience these issues. Acting out and juvenile delinquency are examples. Other related issues include anxiety, depression or becoming anti-social with peers. In some cases, adolescents get involved in drug-taking or drinking as a reaction to their parents' divorce.