Open Your Eyes to Divorce Statistics

Here are some samples of the most recent divorce statistics in the United States.

In 2005, there were about 2,230,000 marriages. This figure was down from 2,279,000 in 2004, even though the population increased over 2.9 million in that time period.

The divorce rate in 2005 was 3.6 in one thousand people, which was the lowest rate since 1970. This figure is down from 4.2 in 2000 and 4.7 in 1990. The highest peak in divorce statistics was 5.3, in 1981.

The rate of marriage in 2005 was 7.5 per 1000, which was down from 7.8 in 2004.

The state with the highest divorce rate reported in 2004 was Nevada, at 6.4 per 1000. Arkansas finished just behind, at 6.3, and Wyoming was third, with a divorce rate of 5.3.

Conversely, the District of Columbia had the lowest divorce rate reported at 1.7 per 1000. Massachusetts was second with 2.2 and Pennsylvania had 2.5.

According to The State of Our Unions 2005, a report that was issued by Rutgers University, 8.1% of households who are couples consisted of non-married heterosexual partners. This same study also pointed out that only 63% of children in America grow up with both of their biological parents. This is the lowest in the western world.

In 2003, according to divorce statistics, about 56% of custodial fathers and 44% of custodial mothers were either separated or divorced. In the fiscal year 2002, nearly eight million Americans paid almost forty billion dollars in spousal or child support. 84 percent of the payers were males.

The worst part of divorce, statistics aside, is that it affects every part of your daily life. This includes your finances, your emotions, and maybe even your physical health. You could even compare divorce to the sort of chain reaction started by a nuclear explosion, where every problem seems to domino atop the last problem. Statistics say, for example, that for couples with money problems, they may be less able to get through tough times as a family than those who don't have constant financial worries.

Feeling badly about oneself is another part of divorce. You are losing, virtually, half of your family, and the sense of who you are. Your self-worth may be shaken, and divorce statistics show a correlation between divorce rate and the percentage of couples and singles attending counseling. Even with counseling, you may see the end of your marriage as a failure on a personal level, which lead to a self-esteem crisis. It's important for all parties to understand that there are usually many legitimate reasons why a marriage ends.

Whether you are the plaintiff or the respondent in your divorce, you will go through stages of emotion that you may not want to face. If you acknowledge your emotions whether you like them or not, you will come through your divorce with more self-esteem, not less.