The End of Relationships

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In some failed relationships, partners endure a gradual decline of connection, intimacy, and affection, while in others, one or the other partner can identify moment when they knew it was over. When a relationship experiences strain, couples must decide if they have built a connection that can sustain it, and if not, whether it’s best to end it.

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Why Couples Split

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Standing at the altar, few couples can imagine that they will one day be signing divorce papers. And yet many will. Spouses lose their connection to each other for some common reasons—infidelity, financial stress, a decline of affection, or incompatibility—and so experts suggest that couples

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Divorce

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Divorce rate for couples over 50 doubled since 1990. Past divorce predicts older couples' divorce. Empty nest reveals long-ignored issues.

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Why do longtime spouses get divorced?

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Divorce can boost self-esteem as it offers a path out of an unhappy marriage. Though self-esteem may initially dip, it generally recovers, indicating divorce as a painful but liberating solution.

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How can partners benefit from a divorce?

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Women initiate divorce far more often than men, instigating legal action in almost 70 percent of cases, across ages, regions, and ethnicities. Evolutionary psychologists point to these statistics as an indication that women hold more power, or at least take more action, when it comes to mating choices among humans.

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Do men or women seek divorce more often?

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Many couples find a pleasant surprise after getting divorced: They get along better. Researchers suggest that this is because ex-partners need to rely on each other less; that, free from marital stress, partners become more positive; and that when their kids are all they share, they find it’s easier to work as a team to support them

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Why do some people get along better after they divorce?

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Married people are generally healthier and happier than those who are divorced, and they live longer. People living alone, for example, can more easily fall into poor eating or sleep habits. But it’s not necessarily the case that divorce is bad for your health

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Is divorce bad for your health?

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Divorce often leads to improved relationships as ex-partners rely on each other less and experience reduced marital stress. With shared focus on children, they find it easier to work together as a team, fostering a positive dynamic and support.

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Why do some people get along better after they divorce?

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Even if you didn’t believe a relationship would last a lifetime, its ending can hurt, especially if you feel that you’ve been rejected by someone you loved and trusted

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Getting Over a Breakup

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Recommended strategies to get over a breakup include maintaining distance from an ex; reminding yourself of their bad qualities, and not just the good ones you may miss; taking up new activities

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How can I recover from a breakup?

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Personality and Relationships