You and your significant other got married a year ago, and it’s been great. You haven’t had any real problems or major fights. You were already living together before the wedding, so there wasn’t a huge transition and a lot of conflict. You both own your own small businesses and money has been good.
Even so, you’re wondering if there’s any way you can know a divorce is coming long before the problems start. Below are four rather odd things to keep an eye on, as the stats show they can predict a higher likelihood of divorce.
1. You never went to a university and have just a high school diploma.
Statistically speaking, only obtaining a high school diploma makes you more likely to split up than those who went to college. Of course, it is worth noting that some experts have tied this to money. Those with college degrees tend to earn more and so stress about money is less likely to ruin the marriage. So, if money is doing well since you started your own businesses, you may buck this trend.
2. Having daughters instead of sons.
This one seems shocking, but a study carried out back in 2010 found that families with just sons are more likely to stay together than families with a daughter. The theory is that mothers may not put up with things they don’t like if they have a daughter, since they want to be a good example for that child, and so they’re less likely to stick it out.
3. Driving more than 45 minutes to work.
No one likes to commute, and you’re probably stressed out if you have to drive an hour there and an hour back each day. Well, a study found that this stress can impact your marriage, as well, with couples who drive more than 45 minutes winding up more likely to split. After all, with eight hours of work factored in, a long commute means you see each other far less.
4. A wedding that costs $20,000 or more.
You want that perfect day, but some studies have shown that spending too much to get it can predict a divorce later on down the line. It’s interesting that they found that $20,000 was the upper limit, though, since the average cost of the big day comes in at a full $25,000. One reason that spending too much leads to divorce could be that couples blow their savings, get married, and then face a lot of stress about money without that safety net.
Clearly, none of these things mean you’re bound to get divorced. Maybe you spent $30,000 on your wedding, never went to college, have one daughter, and drive an hour to work every morning — and your relationship is rock solid. But they are factors that can contribute, so it’s important to be aware of them and to know your legal options if you do decide to split.