the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

06/01/2012

Military Divorce Rate Rises

As some 40,000 troops returned home from Iraq for the holidays, one of the longest wars in history continues to take a death toll rarely reported in war—the demise of military marriages.

The divorce rate among military couples has increased 42 percent since the Afghanistan-Iraq wars began in 2001.

Thousands of couples have endured multiple deployments resulting in years of separation. Research reveals that plans to pursue divorce or separation increase with each subsequent month a service member is deployed.

When Air Force Master Sergeant Todd Gaff received orders to deploy to Afghanistan in 2001, he and his wife, Valerie, never imagined it was only the first of 13 tours of duty in the region. With each return home, "We had to renegotiate our roles, routines and relationship," Valerie said.

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
The Party Photobooth Limited

"While he was away, I was totally in charge and fully responsible for our children and household. When he returned, it was hard to let go of some of those roles. It was also scary getting reacquainted. By necessity, we both changed each time we were apart."

The first 90 days post-deployment are the most critical for military marriages, according to FamilyLife, the global nonprofit leader in marriage events that, since 1976, has provided marriage resources and expertise in more than 75 countries.

"That window is the proven time frame during which people develop habits and set the tone for the future of their marriage. It's critical for military couples to establish healthy habits quickly as they struggle to reconnect and restructure their families," said FamilyLife Founder and President Dennis Rainey.

The most common stresses post-deployment include: unrealistic expectations, rushing the transition, renegotiating roles, realizing both spouses have changed during deployment, and

(GK)

Top stories


20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant

Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance

Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth

Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend

Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life

Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle

Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans

Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids

Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters

Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
more infomore info
0.015625 44.215.110.142 Ban:1, But:1 28/03/2024

"As some 40,000 troops returned home from Iraq for the holidays, one of the longest wars in history continues to take a death toll rarely reported in war—the demise of military marriages."