Lockdown and Divorce in the UK
You might think that perhaps all that enforced time together in lockdown would not do relationships any favours. Spending so much time with each other you can slowly find that those little niggly things that seemed quite endearing to begin with can start to grind on your nerves. I do not know if I can legitimately get away with citing “leaves the toast crumbs in the spread” as a contributing factor for divorce. However, joking aside there are real concerns that the level of confinement we are currently experiencing is affecting our mental health and leading to an increase in domestic violence. But what about lockdown and divorce?
Month Long Queues In China
According to the Telegraph in Shanghai in February there was a month-long waiting list for a divorce. Although it is worth noting that over half of the city are in overcrowded accommodation and maybe that is why they have struggled there.
Our house is quite spacious so we can get away from each other for a bit if we want too! We are not all under each other’s feet. If anything, I want to spend more time with him! But he hides in his gaming room (that sounds fancier than it is, he has the old pantry!). The Financial Times mentioned how one couple got divorced because the mother was left with all the household chores and childcare whilst all the husband did was play computer games! I must quickly add that my husband does work still so he is not gaming the whole time! Although I do sometimes have to give him a nudge to help with the chores…
So even though you might expect divorce to be on the rise all over the world, the figures are surprisingly down in the UK during lockdown. Google trends show “get a divorce” search has fallen by 62%, which is a heck of a reduction.
You Don’t Have To Stay In An Unhappy Marriage
Even though companies like Paul John and Co Solicitors haven’t had the influx of clients waiting for a divorce like they expected. They have remained open which is reassuring! You can still go through the motions of getting divorced if life gets unbearable. You do not have to stay in an unhappy marriage, especially if you are in any danger.
We all have so many additional pressures on us at the moment. My husband and I have had some financial concerns, home schooling the kids has been exhausting and I feel like the house is completely upside down! So, if we were not already in a strong relationship our marriage could easily have crumbled.
At the same time do not rush into a divorce without thinking it through, its easy to make a rash decision when all you might need is a bit of marriage counselling when this is all over! Or in my case learning to live with crumbs in the spread.
Why Are The Figures Down?
Well as idyllic as it sounds that divorce rates are down the reasoning behind the figures is not quite so romantic. According to an article in Harpers Bazaar divorce is down due to insecurity. Given the challenging circumstances right now, people do not want to rock the boat. Some think they will not do so well out of the divorce given the economic uncertainty. We don’t know if all of us will have jobs when life goes back to the new normal whatever that might be!
I suppose at times like these relationships can be a bit strained. Glad hubby and I haven’t any major issues. I’d hate to have to consider divorce especially with what’s happening at the moment.
This is a challenging time and if there is already a strain in a marriage I can imagine this has been very testing. It’s sad when a marriage ends, but if it’s for the better then it has to be done x
I am surprised divorce rates are down at the moment, but in some respects it isn’t surprising! As you say, it is the total uncertainty of everything – jobs, money, what will happen in 6 months… a year.., beyond. We are all on top of each other though so finding a space just to go and have some quiet time is a must! Sim x
I expect we will see a rise in divorce rates once the lockdown is over and things have calmed down
I think it will probably go up a lot after lockdown which is quite sad as spending a lot of time together doesn’t work for every couple.
It’s such a difficult time and understandably, will be putting a strain on relationships. I think the divorce rate will go up but just now there is too much uncertainty. I do really feel for those who are in lockdown in an unhappy relationship, it must be incredibly difficult.
Interesting read, I think once lockdown is over the divorce rate will go up. Everyone is used to their routine of going to work etc and now stuck home 24/7 which a lot of couples will not be coping well with
I definitely think that once lockdown is lifted, the rates will go up. As you say, people are probably too scared to rock the boat at the moment.
This is a fascinating topic. Not that there’s anything fascinating about divorce but if I’d had to get out of my marriage right now, I wouldn’t know what to do, probably just suffer till the end of the lockdown like most people do?
It’s such a crazy time right now, I think like you touched on people definitely shouldn’t stay in an unhappy relationship or marriage but I can also see how it would be difficult to leave right now with everything closed and on lockdown and travel so limited. My husband drives me up the wall but that’s in or out of lockdown lol! All jokes aside though I can only imagine what a tough decision it would have to be right now if you really wanted or had to leave!
Being in lockdown for a long period of time can be testing on any relationship and eventually cause divorce. I know of a friend who is in lockdown with her ex at the moment and in hoping for the ban to be lifted
It has been lovely to spend more time with my husband during lockdown and he is not stressed because of work, so is actually a lot cheerier
This is possibly the longest time that any of us will spend together with our partners. It can be a testing time.
I am sure once the lockdown has been completed and it lifts the divorce rates will sky rocket for sure x
I’m thankful my husband has still had to go to work through all of this, I think we’d be on the road to strangling each other otherwise!
Katie xoxo