Divorce is rarely a snap decision – it often comes after months or years of trying, hoping, and soul-searching. While either partner may initiate the process, statistics from the Office of National Statistics in the UK for 2019, show that 62% of the total divorces were initiated by women. In the US it’s believed the number is closer to 70%.
Whether you’re the one considering divorce or trying to understand your own situation better, this is about gaining clarity. Because when you’re making one of the biggest decisions of your life, you want to be confident you’re doing it for the right reasons – and without regret.
6 possible reasons that more women are filing for divorce
1. They are more financially independent
More women now have their own successful careers rather being housewives dependent on their husbands for financial support. Once they have financial independence it means they can take care of themselves and are not reliant on anyone else to do so. This gives them the freedom to leave an unhappy marriage that they may not have had 50 years ago. The statistics also show that women who have a university education are more likely to leave a marriage.
2. Marriage doesn’t meet their expectations
Instead of it being a partnership as they expected, women often feel that they don’t have enough hands-on support from their husband and that they carry the bulk of the emotional workload. Things like organising the kids, the social calendar and the household chores often fall on the woman’s shoulders, despite also holding down a full-time job.
3. Their husband doesn’t meet their emotional needs
Studies have shown that women gain fewer emotional benefits from marriage, whilst men gain multiple benefits such as living longer and earning more money. Many women gain their emotional support from close friends and family. The demands of everyday life mean that they lose the connection they may have once had with their partner, and they no longer spend any quality time together.
4. Women are more likely to get primary custody of the children
In the majority of cases, the children remain living with the women for most of the time, so they feel they have less to lose in that respect. Men may choose to stay in an unhappy marriage for the sake of their kids so they can see them full time rather than every other weekend.
5. Women have a wider support network
They’re all more likely to ask for help. They know if they leave their marriage, they will have the practical and emotional help from close friends and family. And leaving the marriage means they have one less person to think about and take care of. Having a better support system can make the transition back into single life seem easier, especially if they have single friends.
6. They decide they want more
More women have successful careers and are the main breadwinner today. They realise they want more in life and want to grow and develop but feel their husband is holding them back, happy to maintain the status quo. Eventually they realise they no longer have the same hopes and dreams and want different things out of life.
To summarise
For many women, the decision to divorce isn’t sudden – it’s the result of months or years of trying, hoping, and carrying the mental and emotional load.
Divorce changes everything – and once the decision is made, there’s no going back. No one wants to make a decision they’ll regret. And while there’s no perfect answer, what matters is that you leave knowing you tried everything to make it work.
If you’re considering leaving your marriage, give yourself the chance to get clear—so you can make a decision you won’t regret. Not out of frustration, fear, or exhaustion. But from a place of confidence and clarity.
If you’re questioning your relationship, coaching gives you space to untangle your thoughts, explore your options, and make the best decision for you. Book your clarity call and take the first step toward feeling certain – whatever you choose.
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