With that, let’s take a look at the most common reasons for divorce…

When you’re in the midst of a divorce, you may experience intense feelings of loneliness or that nobody understands what you’re going through.Those are both totally legitimate reactions to a difficult situation that can feel like you’re in a slow-motion car wreck.

And as hard as things may be, it can be comforting to know that you aren’t alone. At the very least, understanding the top reasons for divorce may help you make sense of the forces that have driven you apart.

Or maybe things just seem “off” with you and your spouse lately. Your arguments have become more frequent and your fights last longer. All marriages hit a rough patch sooner or later. Knowing why people get a divorce may help you learn from the mistakes of others so you can right the ship.

With that, let’s take a look at the most common reasons for divorce…

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  Money
  
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  Lack of intimacy
  
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  Infidelity
  
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  Abuse
  
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  Lack of compatibility
  
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  Physical appearance
  
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  Addictions
  
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  Getting married at an early age
  
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  Getting married for the wrong reasons
  
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  Lack of communication
  
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  Lack of equality and loss of identity
  
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  You see, there are a lot of reasons why people get divorced. Some studies cite communication issues, growing apart over time or domestic or substance abuse as primary reasons.
  
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  Rankings will vary from study to study, but one of the most common causes of divorce always centers around money issues. Money issues can make married couples crazy because money touches so many parts of all people’s lives.
  
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  No matter how much money you have (or not), there’s always the issue of money as a primary connector in marriage. That means it’s also a primary flashpoint for arguments and in many cases, a motivating factor in divorce.
  
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  Money issues can wreck a marriage in so many different ways.
  
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  Spouses who are reckless with credit cards can run up large debts without the knowledge of their spouse. One spouse can make considerably more than the other, creating earning/control issues.
  
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  Each spouse may have different ideas on long-term financial goals. One spouse wants to “live for today” while the other wants to put every extra penny toward retirement.
  
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  One spouse wants a new car every two years while the other is happy to drive any vehicle that is already paid off.
  
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  Money can be especially important to the degree that you don’t have it. When one spouse or the other loses a job or significant unexpected financial setbacks take place (think job loss, health crises, etc.), it can cause a big squeeze on family finances that may last for months or even years.
  
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  Money issues cause stress. Stress chokes off communication. A lack of communication leads to breakdowns in trust. And the result is often divorce.
  
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  Money issues are tough, but the best way to resolve them is to create a budget and long-term goals and stick to them. Make a concerted effort to keep the lines of communication open regarding financial interests, especially during challenging times.
  
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  You probably won’t completely avoid disagreements about finances in the course of your marriage. But just like all other marital problems, if you face money challenges with honesty and as a team, your marriage has a much better chance of surviving.
  
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  Extramarital affairs are a pretty obvious reason why people get divorced. But surprisingly, a large number of married couples have dealt with infidelity issues and found a way to stay together.
  
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  That doesn’t mean you should roll the dice if you’re considering venturing outside the marriage.
  
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  The reality is infidelity fundamentally changes your marriage. It erodes trust and leads to a breakdown in communication.
  
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  Sooner or later, infidelity usually catches up with you which is why it is one of the leading causes of divorce.
  
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  Even if your marriage does survive, it will be fundamentally changed forever. You will end up admitting to being a cheater, or you’ll end up carrying around a fair amount of guilt (assuming you have a conscience) for years.
  
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  People cheat for different reasons. Passion fades over time. The thrill with your spouse is gone, but the desire for thrills remains.
  
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  Sometimes it has to do with anger and resentment over something a spouse is doing. Cheating may take place due to a lack of self-esteem. At other times, it may be something as simple as a difference in sexual appetite or a lack of intimacy that needs to be satisfied.
  
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  Infidelity may also start as a casual relationship that evolves into an emotional affair, and then becomes a physical affair. That is often the case with people in work situations who spend large amounts of time together.
  
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  According to Divorce Statistics, 22% of men have committed at least one act of adultery in their lives. Also, 14% of married women have had affairs at least once during their lives. As many as 36% of men and women have admitted to having an affair with a co-worker. And, 70% of married women and 54% of married men did not know about their spouses’ infidelity.