Marriage stands up to tough economy

In a time when foreclosure rates are soaring, unemployment abounds and families are struggling to get by, one statistic seems to have dropped. According to The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, divorce rates are way down “Well I think right now the economy, and literally people may laugh, but I think it’s cheaper to keep her,” offers Julius Ray. Ray and his wife Kim said “I do” more than 20 years ago. They say divorce is not in their future, but both understand finances can make or break a couple. “When you start thinking, yeah, I can be legally divorced from you. But then I gotta split up all this stuff and Florida being a community property state, ah no, you tough it out,” added Ray. “This is kind of a silver lining of our economic depression, or recession, is that people are holding on longer,” explains Psychiatrist Keith Ablow. Ablow says the poor economy is one reason some people are toughing it out. Divorce can be expensive. He also says a tough economy can bring out the best in

people, as in the case of Susan and Chris Jones. Both previously worked in the mortgage industry. She lost her job last year. He was forced to close his company. “It’s easier that we’re together, you know as a team. It makes everything a little easier. The bad times are easier and the good times are even better,” according to Susan Jones. Divorce lawyers say they’re feeling it too. One study says 37% of attorneys are seeing a decrease in divorces during the economic downturn. John Cowan agrees with the Jones’. This November he and his wife April will celebrate 19 years together. They say bad circumstances often highlight what brings true happiness. “There are some things that are important in life and when the economy is bad it helps us center back on those things again,” offers John Cowan. It’s not just in The United States where divorce rates have dropped. England, India and New Zealand have also reported a decrease in those statistics.  

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Marriage stands up to tough economy

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