Confusion Over Divorce
According to the Barna Group, a Christian research and polling organization, data from nationwide interviews with a random sample of 7043 adults found that 94% of people in their fifties and beyond have been married at least once. Among all people age 18 or older, 73% have been married at least one time.New data on marriage, divorce, and remarriage in the United States show that 43 percent of first marriages end in separation or divorce within 15 years, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, “First Marriage Dissolution, Divorce, and Remarriage in the United States,” also shows that one in three first marriages end within ten years and one in five end within five years. The findings are based on data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, a study of 10,847 women 15-44 years of age.But marriage is not as stable a relationship as it once was. Among the three-quarters who have been married, one-third has also experienced at least one divorce. Statistics show that the highest rate of divorce for women are those who are under 20 years of age (49.5%). While the highest rate of divorce for men is between 25-29 years of age (52.2%), middle age has the second highest divorce rate (due to 2nd and 3rdmarriages) From all this research three surprises are identified in terms of who is most likely to get divorced.•Compared to divorce among adults who marry in their 20’s or 30’s, the adolescent divorce rate is 1.5 times greater (75% end in the first five years).•Born again Christians are just as likely to get divorced as are non-born again adults. •Overall, 33% of all born again individuals who have been married have gone through a divorce, which is statistically identical to the 34% incidence among non-born again adults. In an age of information and technology within the most sophisticated society the world has ever known, our national reputation is marred by problems of divorce. Divorce statistics reflect the very troubling nature of conflict between a man and a woman who at one time never imagined what painful experiences of life would be in store for them.