Grey divorce

Grey divorce^[1][2][3] is a term referring to the demographic trend of an increasing divorce rate for older ("grey-haired") couples in long-lasting marriages. Former American vice-presidential couple Tipper and Al Gore's decision to separate after over 40 years of marriage is an example of this trend.^[4] Another high-profile political couple announced their split,in July 2011, after 25 years of marriage: Kennedy family member Maria Shriver filed for divorce from California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In the United States

Grey divorce was documented in the United States as early as the 1980s,^[5] but wasn't labeled as such until around 2004.^[6] The phenomenon entered the public awareness with a 2004 AARP study^[7] and was further elucidated in Deirdre Bair's 2007 book Calling It Quits containing interviews with grey divorcees.^[8] Older couples are responsible for the overall increase in the divorce rate in the United Kingdom.^[9] While wives seek divorces at a higher rate than husbands, some have argued that an increase in older husbands' infidelity, facilitated by the development and increased availability of nitrate-based anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, has led to the divorce increase,^[10] though this account has also been disputed.^[11] Other researchers have pointed to the increase in human longevity, the cultural values of Baby Boomers, and women's increasing financial independence as potential causes.^[12]

Statistics on Grey Divorce

In May 2004, the AARP conducted a study titled the The Divorce Experience: A Study of Divorce at Midlife and Beyond.^[13]

Some of the findings consisted of:

Who initiates divorce in later life?

• 66% of female participants initiated divorce
• 41% of male participants initiated divorce

Participants age when divorced

• Age 40-49, 73% of participants divorced in their 40's
• Age 50-59, 22% of participants divorced in their 50's
• Age 60-Older, 4% of participants divorced in their 60's or later

Increased risk of STIs

Many older adults, who are dating and sexually active, do not realize they are at risk for STDs and HIV, especially among women over 50. New erectile dysfunction drugs mean more older men are capable of vaginal and anal intercourse, and more able to transmit or contract an STD or HIV. Older women’s age-related changes in vaginal tissue increase their risk for contracting HIV. Research shows divorce is a risk factor for STD/HIV infection among women.^[14][15]

• Since 2003, the number of new HIV diagnoses among women 50 and older has gone up by 40%.^[16]
• Divorced women are more likely than never married, single women to forgo condom use.^[17]

Japan

In Japan it is referred to as retired husband syndrome (主人在宅ストレス症候群, Shujin Zaitaku Sutoresu Shoukougun, literally One's Husband Being at Home Stress Syndrome).^[18][19] While devoting years to his career a husband may rarely see his family.^[19] As a result a husband and wife may not interact extensively and when he retires both can feel they are living with a virtual stranger.^[20] This can cause particular stress for the woman who, as society dictated in her youth, is now expected to attend to her husband's every need.^[20] The stress this change in lifestyle brings can lead to a number of problems,^[19] including feelings of resentment towards husbands.^[20]

See also

• Baby Boom Generation
• Mid-life crisis

References