If you ask people why divorce happens, they’ll cite a multitude of reasons. Infidelity. Financial troubles. Stress and conflict. Getting married too young. The list goes on and on.
One thing that you may not have suspected, however, is your daily commute. Some reports show that a long commute increases the odds that a couple will get divorced. For instance, if the commute is over 45 minutes long, then it’s been found that the couple will have a 40% higher chance of getting divorced than a couple with a shorter commute – or none at all.
Why is this?
What this really underscores is the real issue in the relationship: The couple is not spending enough quality time together. It’s not necessarily about the commute itself, but just the time that it takes up. If someone spends an hour and a half to two hours on the road every day, along with 8 to 10 hours in the office, they’re only going to have a few hours left for their spouse and their family.
Over time, the lack of contact can cause the couple to drift apart. Relationships take work. They take effort. They take time. When two people don’t see each other, they may lose the connection they once had. If one spouse is a stay-at-home parent, they may also have some level of resentment, feeling like they are stuck at home while their spouse is off doing as they please.
But no matter how it plays out exactly, this lack of time together can eventually end the marriage. Those who are getting divorced need to be well aware of the legal steps they can take as this process moves forward, regarding the division of assets, parental rights and much more.
