People file for divorce for very personal reasons. Every marriage has unique issues that arise that can put stress on the bond between the spouses. That being said, there are certainly trends when it comes to divorce. Generally speaking, women are more likely than men to initiate divorce.
However, men do file for divorce in a variety of different situations. In a recent survey discussing the top reasons people filed for divorce, there were discrepancies between the answers men and women gave. The following are the most common reasons men in the U.S. choose to file for divorce.
Infidelity
Approximately 18% of men reported one spouse’s unfaithfulness as the reason behind the divorce filing. That isn’t to say that almost one in five men file for divorce because their spouse cheated. Some men had extramarital affairs that pushed them into filing for divorce. Infidelity on the part of either spouse is a common reason for people to end the marriage. Even seemingly consensual infidelity involving polyamory might eventually lead to a divorce as emotions and marital dynamics change.
Excessive arguing
Couples can fight about many different issues. For some couples, money is the main source of marital conflict. For others, disputes may arise because of their relationships with their in-laws. In some cases, intimacy or the lack thereof is the reason that couples find themselves fighting frequently. People often start to reconsider their marriages when they fight constantly. According to the men surveyed, 27% cited excessive arguing as the reason for ending the marriage.
Growing apart
People change as time marches on, and sometimes they change in ways that can damage a marriage. 39% of the men surveyed reported growing apart from their spouses rather than growing together being the ultimate reason that the marriage failed. Spouses who don’t have shared interests and values may find it very hard to remain connected, especially when their children mature and leave the family home. Other common reasons that men cited for divorce included a lack of respect for the marital relationship and different interests or priorities for the spouses.
Understanding what may lead to a divorce filing can help men better evaluate the status of their relationship currently. For some people, divorce is the best option for improving an unsatisfying living situation.