Both men and women have the ability to file for divorce. Gender has no bearing on this at all, and no-fault divorce laws mean that neither person needs to prove that the other person is at fault. It is possible to dissolve a relationship simply due to irreconcilable differences and the desire to move on.
But have you ever wondered who makes this decision more often? Studies have found that it is more likely that women will file for divorce than men, at least in opposite-sex marriages. Why is this?
A lack of equality
One potential reason that has been cited is that women don’t feel like they are being treated equally within the marriage. If they feel that they are being treated as a lesser partner than their husband, that could cause them to file for divorce.
Education and opportunities
Both opportunities for education and in the business world have increased dramatically for women over the last 100 years. This process continues even today. Women are far more independent and able to support themselves today than they were in the past, making divorce more of a realistic option than it used to be.
Women have high expectations
Finally, some have suggested that women tend to have higher expectations for marriage than men. They have a vision for what they want out of this relationship. If that is not fulfilled, and it becomes clear that they are never going to have the life that they desire for themselves, they may be more prone to move on and seek it out.
Again, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if a husband or a wife decides to file for divorce. Either one has the ability to do so and simply needs to know what legal steps to take.