Is Divorce Stigma Real?

 Posted on December 00,0000 in DuPage County divorce lawyer

Feeling emotions that run the gamut from relieved to ashamed is perfectly normal in divorce, especially since research shows that divorce stigma is still alive and well in the 21st century. Even though prenuptial agreements and fault-free divorce are more common, there’s still a social and individual stigma about getting a divorce.

According to a new survey taken by 1,000 divorced individuals, shame and sadness are two of the most common emotions after marriage dissolution. Nearly half of the surveyed individuals felt that the stigma of divorce affected them, and women were more likely than men to feel shame post-divorce.

Nearly a third of women admitted trying to push off the breakup as long as possible because of their own individual belief that marriage should last forever. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however, because respondents also shared that they felt their life was back on track after a few years. Like any major life change, divorce can take some time to get used to, especially if you were deeply entrenched in the routines and habits of your marriage.

Despite the fact that divorce has become more common, half the survey respondents felt that others were judging them for getting a divorce. Although many survey respondents indicated they stayed in the marriage and tried to work it out for the children, 1 in 10 participants stated that social stigma about divorce also influenced their decision to stay and attempt working it out with the spouse.

If you are truly unhappy, you don’t deserve to stay in a bad marriage because of social stigma. Feeling trapped in a marriage that no longer works for you is not an option if you want to be able to move on. If you’re ready to talk through your options, contact an Illinois divorce attorney today.