The US has one of the highest divorce rates in the world, with 35%-50% of first marriages failing. This rate increases for subsequent marriages.

But what are the reasons that so many marriages don’t work out? If you’re in a relationship, you’ll hope it will last a lifetime, and learning about the reasons people split up can help you avoid making the same mistakes.

While every relationship is unique, there are some common causes of divorce.

Let’s find out what they are.

Infidelity

Finding out that your partner has been having an affair can be devastating and leave you questioning your relationship. The pain can be magnified if the cheating has been going on for a long time without you being aware of the unfaithfulness.

You may decide to try and work through this issue and save your marriage. However, should you feel that infidelity is too big a betrayal to forgive, you can hire a Divorce Lawyer to handle your case professionally and with compassion.

Changes in Outlook on Life

Marriage problems can also arise if one or both parties develop a new view on life. This could include a partner wanting to sell your home and travel the world. Or, in contrast, a person may decide to focus more on their career and leave their spouse alone in the house while they spend countless hours at the office.

These significant changes could result in a married couple heading in different directions in life, taking a toll that ends in divorce.

Lack of Trust

Lack of trust is another of the most typical divorce causes. This can appear in many ways and may be the result of one partner suddenly becoming insecure. For example, they may worry that their partner is cheating even though this is not the case.

There can also be times when the absence of faith is justified. This may happen if a partner goes for a drink after work and tells their husband or wife that they stayed late at the office.

Even small lies can cause cracks in a relationship, and often a partner would prefer to hear the truth even if it’s hurtful.

Abuse

Sadly, there can be physical, emotional, and mental abuse in a marriage, and there may be no way to fix the relationship.

There may be signs such as a partner striking their partner or threatening physical violence. They could also berate their husband or wife, making them feel bad about themselves and destroying their self-confidence.

Sometimes abuse can go on for years before a partner leaves to start afresh. Unfortunately, they may be traumatized and find it difficult to trust again when they meet a new partner.

Financial Difficulties

Having money troubles can also lead to marriage issues. This could be because both parties are feeling stressed and are more likely to start an argument rather than resolve problems calmly.

But it may also be that one spouse blames the other for their financial woes. This might be due to one partner refusing to get a job, or they could be in employment but spend their wages before they’ve taken care of the household bills.

By addressing these financial difficulties early, you may be able to save your marriage and avoid a divorce.

Lack of Intimacy

Not having emotional or physical intimacy in a relationship can cause serious harm. If a partner is struggling in one part of their life, they will want emotional support and rightly expect you to help them to feel better. When things are going well, an emotional bond can be made stronger just by spending time with each other and making plans for the future.

You may also find the physical side of your relationship dwindles over time. This can leave a spouse feeling unfulfilled and it may be difficult to rekindle the spark. By talking about your concerns, you may be able to get a better understanding of each other’s desires and be able to repair your relationship.

Substance Abuse

There may be signs of divorce proceedings becoming more likely if a partner develops an addiction to drugs or alcohol. This can change the type of person they are and make it unbearable to live with them. It could also lead to the person making risky decisions that impact your life.

If a spouse is unable to conquer their addiction, their partner may feel they have no choice but to end the relationship.

Drifting Apart

Sometimes a lack of effort in the relationship can be the main reason you’re getting a divorce. If people stop trying to connect with their spouse, this can result in a feeling that they’ve drifted apart and no longer have common interests.

Should the rift become too large, this could lead to both parties agreeing that a divorce is the best course of action.

These Causes of Divorce Can Be Distressing

These common causes of divorce can lead to heartbreak and leave you emotionally drained. Finding out that your partner has cheated can be crushing, and not trusting your soulmate could leave you wanting a fresh start with someone else. Addiction can cause a previously solid relationship to end, while you could also find that you no longer share common interests with your spouse.

Hopefully, you’ll never suffer these issues in your marriage.

Before you leave, be sure to check out more of our interesting blog posts that might help your relationship.