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Gray divorce: Explaining midlife marital splits.

Jocelyn Elise Crowley¹

¹a The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers , The State University of New Jersey , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA.

Journal of Women & Aging

|December 7, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Gray divorce, affecting those 50+, is common. This study found commitment, not personal growth, most influences Baby Boomers' marriage decisions and gray divorces.

Keywords:

Gray divorce marital dissolution sex

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Area of Science:

Sociology
Psychology
Family Studies

Background:

One in four US divorces are now "gray divorces," impacting individuals aged 50 and above.
The Baby Boomer generation is experiencing a significant rise in late-life divorces.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the underlying reasons for the increase in gray divorces among Baby Boomers.
To compare the expressive individualistic model of marriage with the commitment-based model in this demographic.

Main Methods:

Conducted 40 in-depth, semistructured interviews with men.
Conducted 40 in-depth, semistructured interviews with women.
Analyzed respondents' beliefs regarding marriage models and divorce determinants.

Main Results:

The commitment-based model of marriage significantly influences marital stability and divorce decisions for both men and women in the Baby Boomer cohort.
While commitment is key, specific drivers for divorce vary between genders.

Conclusions:

Marriage and divorce decisions among Baby Boomers are primarily governed by a commitment-based framework.
Understanding these models is crucial for addressing the trend of gray divorce.