When Divorce Season Hits, Seek Shelter with Collaborative Law
August 24, 2016 by West Coast ADR
When a couple makes the decision to separate, the spouses may in fact be the victims of a form of a seasonal disorder. A study conducted in Washington, whose residents experience seasons very similar to those in British Columbia, suggests spring and summer are key times for divorce. Collaborative law is probably not the first thing on the mind of those who get caught up in the moment, but it perhaps should be.
Researchers from the University of Washington analyzed data on divorce filings between 2001 and 2015 in the state of Washington. Intriguingly, they found a correlation between certain seasons and a spike in the number of divorces. Twice a year, in the months of March and August, there is a marked upturn in the number of filings.
The sociologists conducting the study believe the seasonal spikes may be related to what they term “domestic ritual.” This is a reference to yearly recurring family-oriented events, such as vacations and holidays. During these times, emotions and expectations often run high, even when past events have led to disappointment.
With the annual return of these ritual events, couples in trouble may believe a time for renewal is at hand. When the winter holidays turn sour, however, disenchanted husbands or wives may spend the next few weeks getting their affairs in order before filing for divorce, hence the spike in March. And if it is the summer holidays that fail to deliver a new beginning, there often follows a scramble to end a marriage before children go back to school.
Science seems to be backing up the notion that when emotions run hot they can run roughshod over rational thought. However, anyone considering divorce should be thinking things through before taking the next step. Rather than being swept up in the heat of the moment, couples would be better served by calm and cooperative approaches to ending situations that are no longer working. Enlisting the help of a law group experienced with collaborative law in British Columbia is a rational first step, no matter the season.
Source: Medical Daily, “Is There A Divorce Season? Study Finds Divorce Filings Rise After Winter And Summer Holidays“, Suman Varandani, August 21, 2016
When a couple makes the decision to separate, the spouses may in fact be the victims of a form of a seasonal disorder. A study conducted in Washington, whose residents experience seasons very similar to those in British Columbia, suggests spring and summer are key times for divorce. Collaborative law is probably not the first thing on the mind of those who get caught up in the moment, but it perhaps should be.
Researchers from the University of Washington analyzed data on divorce filings between 2001 and 2015 in the state of Washington. Intriguingly, they found a correlation between certain seasons and a spike in the number of divorces. Twice a year, in the months of March and August, there is a marked upturn in the number of filings.
The sociologists conducting the study believe the seasonal spikes may be related to what they term “domestic ritual.” This is a reference to yearly recurring family-oriented events, such as vacations and holidays. During these times, emotions and expectations often run high, even when past events have led to disappointment.
With the annual return of these ritual events, couples in trouble may believe a time for renewal is at hand. When the winter holidays turn sour, however, disenchanted husbands or wives may spend the next few weeks getting their affairs in order before filing for divorce, hence the spike in March. And if it is the summer holidays that fail to deliver a new beginning, there often follows a scramble to end a marriage before children go back to school.
Science seems to be backing up the notion that when emotions run hot they can run roughshod over rational thought. However, anyone considering divorce should be thinking things through before taking the next step. Rather than being swept up in the heat of the moment, couples would be better served by calm and cooperative approaches to ending situations that are no longer working. Enlisting the help of a law group experienced with collaborative law in British Columbia is a rational first step, no matter the season.
Source: Medical Daily, “Is There A Divorce Season? Study Finds Divorce Filings Rise After Winter And Summer Holidays“, Suman Varandani, August 21, 2016