When couples get married in Washington, they usually do so with high hopes for their marriage. While it is expected that there will be a period of adjustment, most couples intend to remain married for the rest of their lives. Still, there is often an expectation that some couples will become less happy with their marriages over time, something that can lead to divorce.
A recent study examined this phenomenon of couples becoming less happy with each other and their relationship after several years of marriage and an initial “honeymoon period.” Studies on this issue have generally focused on a specific demographic, namely white, middle-class couples. Researchers have begun to look at the way other demographics respond to the challenges of marriage. Of particular interest was the financial position of a married couple as conventional wisdom associates financial issues with potential marital problems.
Lower-income couples still reported high levels of satisfaction early on in their marriages although declines did occur over time. There was a correlation between low levels of satisfaction early on in a marriage and increased dissatisfaction over time for wives but not for husbands. Instead, some low-income husbands reported a decline in satisfaction for a period of time but a rebound several years later.
Ideally, couples who recognize difficulties in their relationships will seek sources of support so that they can get their relationships back on track. When this does not happen, divorce may be an option. Individuals considering divorce may benefit from speaking with an experienced family law attorney, who may provide guidance on issues such as property division, ongoing support and child custody issues.