Brooklyn Family Law Blog

Many people across the United States wonder what factors put marriages at risk of breakdown. A new study from Harvard University suggests that lack of employment is the top reason for divorce in heterosexual marriages. Although work-life balance remains important for many couples in New York, this new study reveals a possible dark side for husbands who find themselves unemployed or underemployed.

The research was based on 46 years worth of data that covered over 6,300 heterosexual married couples in the United States. The data was collected by the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 1968 to 2013. The data showed that unemployed men had a 3.3 percent chance of divorce. Those who were employed had only a 2.5 percent chance of the same fate.

Divorce can affect different people in different ways, depending on many factors like their personalities, the circumstances of the divorce, the length of the marriage and the assets and children involved. Some experts also say men and women may have slightly different experiences of divorce, with men tending to struggle more with certain aspects. While men may bring up these issues more than others, both men and women divorcing in New York may struggle with some or all of them.

One of the common issues men struggle with in a divorce is not standing their ground in custody cases or with shared assets. This is because many believe the family court system favours women. However, this kind of thinking can be a trap because it often prevents men from standing up for what they want in fear of losing the case.

When parents get divorced, additional complications like child support and custody must be considered. But are New York parents more likely to get divorced than their counterparts without kids? While some may believe the stress of parenthood increases divorce risks, the statistics tell a more interesting story.

It is true that some studies show that marital satisfaction often takes a hit when children come into the picture.  However, research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that childless couples also experience a decline in satisfaction over time. So the question is, do the children cause marital satisfaction issues or are the social and financial pressures associated with raising a family to blame?

When couples break up, there is often conflict and emotion involved. However, when that couple has children, finding ways to manage these challenges and create a healthy co-parenting plan is important for the children's well-being. Here are some ways that New York couples manage parenting together following a divorce.

It is common for children to act out when their parents are going though a divorce. This may be the result of confusion, anxiety, self-esteem issues or simply testing the boundaries of the new living arrangement. For parents undergoing an emotional challenge themselves, it may be easy to mismanage and lash out at the child's behavior. However, it is best to take steps to control this reaction.