Overall, the results indicate that the most often cited reasons for divorce at the individual level were lack of commitment (75.0%), infidelity (59.6%), and too much conflict and arguing (57.7%), followed by marrying too young (45.1%), financial problems (36.7%), substance abuse (34.6%), and domestic violence (23.5%).

According to divorce statistics by gender, women are more likely to initiate divorce than men in hetero𝑠e𝑥ual marriages.

While divorce is associated with significant life challenges, especially for women, women are still the driving force behind most marriage dissolutions.

What exactly makes women file for divorce more often than men? This article explores the reasons connected to societal norms, gender differences, and roles influencing motivations behind divorce initiation.

Let’s dive right in.

Key Takeaways

• Around 69% of divorces in hetero𝑠e𝑥ual marriages are initiated by women.
• Women often feel less satisfied in marriages due to unmet emotional needs, poor communication, and lack of independence.
• The unequal division of domestic chores and childcare responsibilities, even when both partners work full-time, contributes to marital dissatisfaction among women.
• Infidelity and alcohol addiction are significant factors in many divorces. Women are more likely to cite their husband’s affairs as a reason for divorce, while alcohol abuse leads to stress and decreased marital satisfaction.
• Physical and emotional violence is a major cause of divorce, with women being primary victims more often than men.
• Despite short-term economic difficulties, women often experience long-term improvements in well-being after divorce. Only a small percentage of women regret their decision to divorce compared to men.

Who Files for Divorce More in the U.S.

A study by Michael Rosenfeld from Stanford University analyzes data from the How Couples Meet and Stay Together (HCMST) survey, encompassing responses from a diverse sample of couples.

The study concludes that approximately 69% of divorces are initiated by women. This comprehensive data set offers robust evidence that women are more likely to initiate breakups across various relationship types, including dating, cohabiting, and married couples.

Why Are Spouses Unhappy in Marriages?

Some opinions suggest that marital dissatisfaction doesn’t typically happen overnight. Instead, it may stem from the emotional unreadiness of both men and women to have a dependable partnership.

Women often feel less satisfied in relationships, which makes them more likely to initiate breakups. This lower satisfaction comes from various issues, like not feeling emotionally fulfilled, poor communication, and lack of independence in the relationship.

Women usually want more emotional closeness and support; they become unhappy when they don’t get it. This unhappiness often leads them to end the relationship.

— Brette Sember, JD

Another reason women may be unhappy in marriage is that their relationship wasn’t satisfying enough from the start. So, why did they marry then? Social pressure is often the answer.

On the other hand, men usually feel more satisfied in relationships. This might be because they have different emotional needs or are taught to stay in relationships longer. Because men are generally happier, they start breakups less often.

Men initiate a less significant portion of divorces.

About 29% to 30% of husbands file for divorce, according to surveys. Since the remaining two-thirds of divorce filings come from women, it’s safe to say that men are more satisfied in marriages.

Marriage brings about several benefits for married men compared to their unmarried peers. In particular, marriage is linked to a range of positive health effects for men. It enhances mental health, reduces the risk of depression, and improves cognitive function.

Moreover, married men have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, better blood sugar levels, and better outcomes during hospitalization.

Married men also live 2.2 years longer than unmarried ones. Possible reasons for this may be that their wives often help them stay healthy by encouraging healthy habits and offering chances to make healthy choices.

Married men may eat better, visit doctors more often, and take medicine as prescribed, which may be due to the influence of their wives.

Even when both men and women have full-time jobs, women typically have more childcare and household chores responsibilities. Usually, this workload is unequally distributed, leading women to experience more significant fatigue than men.