Fact check: What's the biggest cause for divorce?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is no single biggest cause for divorce, but rather a constellation of interconnected factors that contribute to marital dissolution. The most frequently cited reasons across multiple sources include:

Primary relationship factors:

• Lack of commitment - consistently identified as a top reason ^{[1] [2]}
• Infidelity - cited by 34% of couples in one survey ^[1] and repeatedly mentioned across sources ^{[3] [2]}
• Communication problems - a fundamental issue affecting relationship stability ^{[3] [4] [2]}
• Too much conflict and frequent arguments - creating an unsustainable relationship environment ^{[1] [4] [2]}

Economic and demographic factors:

• Financial dynamics play a significant role, particularly when women earn more than their husbands, which correlates with higher divorce rates ^[5]
• Financial difficulties in general are cited as a common divorce factor ^{[3] [2]}

Age-specific patterns:

• Among older adults, particularly women, verbal, physical, and mental abuse by partners represents the biggest cause for divorce, along with general dissatisfaction and conflict ^[6]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual factors often overlooked in discussions about divorce causes:

Biological and genetic factors:

• Mental health predispositions such as depression and anxiety are linked to higher divorce rates, suggesting biological components beyond relationship dynamics ^[7]
• This perspective benefits mental health professionals and pharmaceutical companies who can position treatment as divorce prevention

Societal and cultural shifts:

• Changing marriage dynamics including increased intentionality and flexibility in gender roles may actually be contributing to declining divorce rates overall ^[8]
• This viewpoint benefits marriage counselors and relationship coaches who can market modern approaches to marriage

Demographic trends:

• While overall divorce rates are at their lowest in decades, "gray divorce" among older adults is soaring ^[6]
• This trend benefits divorce attorneys specializing in later-life divorces and financial planners dealing with asset division

Comprehensive factor lists:

The analyses identify up to 19 different common reasons for divorce ^[4], including domestic violence, addiction, cultural differences, incompatibility, and lack of shared interests - demonstrating the complexity beyond simple explanations.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "what's the biggest cause for divorce?" contains an inherent bias by assuming there is one primary cause when the evidence clearly shows divorce results from multiple, often interconnected factors. This oversimplification could lead to:

• Misguided prevention efforts focusing on single issues rather than comprehensive relationship health
• Stigmatization of couples experiencing any one particular challenge
• Unrealistic expectations that addressing one factor will prevent divorce

The question also lacks demographic specificity - the analyses show that divorce causes vary significantly by age group, with older adults experiencing different primary factors (abuse and dissatisfaction) compared to general populations (commitment and communication issues) (p2_s1 vs. p1_s2, p3_s3).

Additionally, the framing ignores positive societal changes that are actually reducing divorce rates, such as more intentional approaches to marriage and evolving gender role flexibility ^[8].