“I promise to love you for better or worse until death do us part”- these are the promises that millions of couples make to their partners on their wedding day every year.
While the day is often identified as the greatest memory for many couples, the sad reality is that there are thousands of couples whose happy marriage ends in a bitter divorce.
UK citizens have even identified the day, 8th January, as “Divorce Day”, this is due to the high number of divorce applications received each year as couples drift apart.
Ironically, South Africa is no different when it comes to divorce cases. Results provided by Stats SA revealed that 18 201 divorces were granted in 2021, this is a 13.1% increase since 2020. It was further highlighted that divorce cases were very popular among people married between 0 and 9 years, followed by those married from ten to fourteen years.
While divorce is not ideal for many couples, several factors result in this drastic step being taken.
Below are some of the common reasons why couples choose to end their marriage as highlighted by South African-based law firm – Divorce Laws.
Sexual Incompatibility
Most relationships thrive on intimacy and sexual intercourse. The act that brings couples closer together is often viewed as one of the cornerstones of a lasting relationship. However, the above-mentioned firm states that a change in sexual desires may have its toll on the relationship.
“Changes in sexual desires, frequency, or preferences can lead to dissatisfaction for one or both partners. This discontentment can manifest in various ways, including infidelity, which is a significant precursor to divorce.”
Addiction
Addiction is seen as a factor that separates families. This can appear in several forms, such as drugs, alcohol, pornography, and even social media. Not only does it disrupt family dynamics, but it also leads to emotional and physical separation.
Financial Discrepancies
It is often said that money makes the world go round, well this is the same when it comes to relationships. A lasting relationship thrives on managing and being transparent with one’s finances.
“Disparate views on budgeting, spending, saving and investing can create a financial discord that spills over into other aspects of a marriage. When couples can’t find common ground on financial matters, the relationship often suffers, sometimes to the point of divorce,” explains Divorce Laws.
In addition, Durban Laws – a KZN based law firm practicing exclusively in family law and specialises in custody, contact, maintenance, divorce and protection orders – agrees with this, highlighting that many relationships fail because of financial struggles.
Also see: The importance of a healthy relationship post-divorce
