Divorce
Marriage and Divorce
Data are for the U.S.
Number of marriages: 1,676,911
Marriage rate: 5.1 per 1,000 total population
Number of divorces: 630,505 (45 reporting States and D.C.)
Divorce rate: 2.3 per 1,000 population (45 reporting States and D.C.)
Sources: National Marriage and Divorce Rate Trends for 2000-2020
1 in every 2 marriages ends in divorce. What effect does this have on the children?
Children often believe they have caused the conflict between their parents. Many children assume the responsibility for bringing their parents back together, causing them additional stress.
Vulnerability to both physical and mental illnesses can originate in the traumatic loss of one or both parents through divorce. With care and attention, however, a family's strengths can be mobilized during a divorce, and children can be helped to deal constructively with the resolution of parental conflict.
Talking to children about a divorce is difficult. The following tips can help both the child and parents with the challenge and stress of these conversations:
Do not keep it a secret or wait until the last minute.
Tell your child together with your spouse if possible.
Keep things simple and straightforward and don't share more information than your child is asking for.
Tell them the divorce is not their fault.
Admit that this will be sad and upsetting for everyone.
Reassure your child that you both still love them and will always be their parents.
Do not discuss each other's faults or problems with the child.
