Couples filing for divorce over political differences has become more common in recent years, reflecting a greater polarization in society.
Couples filing for divorce due to political differences has become more common in recent years, reflecting deepening social polarization.
Political differences are not uncommon in marriages, but the current situation has raised tensions to breaking point.
“I think it’s gotten even worse since the last presidential election,” said Cheryl New, a family lawyer at the Bethesda, Maryland, law firm of New & Lauinger.
“It varies from person to person, but the political climate has really highlighted that,” New said. “Couples have to have deep discussions in their marriages where their fundamental differences are so big that they start to get angry.”
New has been in the business for nearly 40 years and has seen couples divorce for a variety of reasons.
But in the past five to seven years, she says, more people than ever before are citing politics as their main reason for wanting a divorce.
For many, political beliefs are no longer seen as mere opinions, but rather as core values that shape their views on morality and social justice, making it difficult for couples to reconcile their differing views.
This is a trend first reported by Axios.
“When I started practicing law, very few people came to me wanting to get a divorce because of political differences,” New said. “It’s real, and it’s a problem because it impacts something as sacred as marriage.”
However, according to the U.S. Census, marriage and divorce rates have declined between 2011 and 2021. In 2011, the marriage rate was 16.3 marriages per 1,000 women, but in 2021 it was 14.9.
The divorce rate in 2021 fell from 9.7 divorces per 1,000 women in 2011 to 6.9 divorces per 1,000 women.
New said part of the blame also lies with smartphones and social media, technologies that allow people to constantly immerse themselves in news, political commentary and heated debate.
“It’s become central to people’s lives, whether they’re young, dating or married,” New said.
She gave one example of a liberal woman married to a Republican man she defended, who had repeatedly downplayed the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, which was one of the reasons she wanted to end the relationship.
“She fundamentally couldn’t understand it,” New said.
Sign up here to get the latest news and daily headlines delivered to your inbox.
© 2024 WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users in the European Economic Area.
