A recent study says that there is a strong link between people who have several siblings and reduced divorce rates.
The study was very lengthy and extensive and was carried out in the US by researchers at the Ohio State University. It looked at data collected from around 57,000 people in the US between 1972 and 2012.
It showed that for people from large families there was a 2% less chance of divorce.
In the UK, divorce rates are currently at 42%.
The research did not examine why people with more siblings seem to have a reduced risk of getting divorced, but that is much speculation as to why this might be the case.
Having siblings means that people have to develop a set of skills for negotiation of both negative and positive interactions with their brothers and sisters. They are more likely to consider other people’s points of view and learn to communicate and talk through problems.
These are seen as good foundations for marriage.
Children with siblings also soon learn that they cannot always be centre of attention and that they need to share.
Nicola Whitley, expert divorce lawyer at Swain & Co says, “This recent study is interesting, but there are a variety of factors that contribute to reasons why a marriage may or may not last.”
“Divorce rates statistics and reasons do not take away the fact that the breakdown of a marriage is an emotionally difficult time for a person and their family; no study makes the reasoning any easy to deal with.”
Nicola adds, “It is important that people facing divorce get the help and advice they need to discover the options available to them.”
Nicola and the family law team at Swain & Co offer free initial advice, so you can discuss the options available to you when facing divorce.
So, contact us for free via email or on Freephone 0800 298 6479