Divorces Higher in the Holiday Season
As British Summer enters its final stages, some interesting research has shed light on the pattern between time periods after holiday seasons and divorce rates. In short, Divorce is seasonal – with spikes following major holidays, researchers have found.
The new research from the University of Washington sociologists concluded winter and summer holidays are culturally sacred times for families when filing for divorce is considered inappropriate and even taboo. But holidays are also emotionally charged and stressful for many couples and can expose fissures in marriage: The consistent pattern in filings, the researchers believe, reflects the disillusionment unhappy spouses feel when the holidays don’t live up to expectations.
Research shows that there is a consistent spike in divorce filings just after the Summer and in early Spring.
They may decide to file for divorce in August, following the family vacation and before the kids start school. But what explains the spike in March, several months after the winter holidays? ‘Couples need time to get finances in order, find an attorney or simply summon the courage to file for divorce,’ the University suggests. The pattern persisted even after accounting for other seasonal factors such as unemployment and the housing market.
So how do we maintain healthy relationships throughout the year and especially over the two periods discussed? Here are a few steps that may help in the future:
1. Talk
Talk to each other whenever you can, communication is the key to any relationship no matter which season it is. Talk to him or her about once a day (maybe more, maybe less, depending on your regular routine) to make sure that you stay as close as possible. Talk about what’s going on your life. This will help the other person feel like they’re a part of your life, even if you don’t get to see them every day. Talk about what you did that day and what you are going to do the next time you see each other. Talk about friends, family, and be sure to ask a lot of questions if you want to keep the conversation going.
2. Spending Physical Time
It’s important to maintain a physical relationship with one another if possible, so decide on what you want to do together and do it. The more you see each other in the flesh, the better.
3. Value your time together
You’re in this relationship for a reason: the other person makes you feel good, makes you want to be a better person, makes you happy to be alive. Well, act like it! Be happy when you’re with your significant other, and take advantage of every second you have.
Celebrate important dates or anniversaries. If you’ve been together for a while, celebrate that three-year anniversary when it comes up. It’ll tell the other person you paid attention and will signal that you’re happy to still be together. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, as long as the other person knows why you’re doing it.
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