The year 2020 has been, to put it mildly, difficult (and it’s only half over). One of the most widespread challenges all Americans are facing is the threat of Covid-19 and the stress brought on by the stay-at-home orders issued in most states. Even if you were in quarantine with people you really love and like, chances are good that your family members/housemates got on your nerves every now and then.
Unfortunately, the quarantine was much more difficult for couples who were already struggling in their marriages. The extended periods of forced togetherness exacerbated existing tensions in some cases. In others, it caused couples to realize they didn’t have that much in common or weren’t very compatible. Sociologists are predicting the divorce rate to spike now that much of the country is opening up again.
According to a recent article in Psychology Today, the divorce spike may be about to happen in countries around the world.
Will Divorce Rates Increase Again With Second Wave?
When a second wave of Covid-19 sweeps through (as nearly all epidemiologists agree that it will), the problems couples experience could be especially difficult.
The first time quarantine happened, most of us were caught off guard and didn’t have time to prepare. As such, we tried to make the best of an unexpected bad situation. The second time around, Americans will generally have less tolerance for quarantining, especially if they had negative relationship interactions during the initial quarantine.
Planning Ahead
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of quarantining is that is seems to have led to a significant increase in rates of domestic violence around the world. If you experienced violence during the first lockdown, please do whatever you can to safely leave the relationship now that travel is easier and more social service organizations are back up and running. You simply cannot afford to be caught in another lockdown with someone who has become violent.
If you are not experiencing domestic violence but are simply in an unhappy relationship, please take time to consider your options for the future in light of the likelihood that another lockdown will likely be coming. You could start the divorce process now or find alternative housing so that you are not forced to repeat what happened earlier this year.
If you have questions about divorce or any other family law matter, please reach out to an experienced family law attorney in your area.
