Is the Pandemic the cause of the dramatic rise in the number of breakups and divorce since March?
More Time Together
The various lockdowns we have experienced have forced us all to spend an increased amount of time at home together. Previously, either one or both partners would have been away from home during the day interacting with other people. Over the past year, spending so much extra time together has led to problems. Small things that might have been minor irritations between partners previously have been exacerbated into more extensive and more pressing issues, leading to arguments, tension and divorce.
Stress
Coping with working from home, living through a global pandemic, dealing with loss, managing bills with reduced incomes, changing lifestyles, and not seeing friends and family regularly, are all incredibly stressful. This stress can dramatically affect mental health, which has, in turn, affected coping mechanisms and relationships.
Family Life
Learning to work from home and conduct home-schooling has been incredibly difficult for many people. The pressures of juggling teaching, working, preparing extra meals and the other responsibilities that come with a house full of people add up. Many couples feel that this responsibility is not shared equally, leading to resentment and arguments.
Time to Reflect
People who have been in unhappy relationships or relationships that just weren’t right, are focusing on their situation and have realised that now is the time to take action. Not having anywhere to escape to, or anyone else to lean on, provides more time to reflect. Many people have decided that they don’t want to continue in a relationship that doesn’t make them happy and are considering divorce.
Divorce?
It is reasonably certain that the numerous breakdowns in marriages and partnerships over the past ten months are a direct result of the Pandemic, or the Pandemic has highlighted old problems. Either way, the best advice that we’ve seen is not to be rash; wait it out if you can, and see how your relationship feels when things return to normal.
