Going through a divorce is an extremely difficult experience, putting people under both emotional and financial pressure. Luckily, there are many options which can make the divorce process easier, including spousal support, and divorce meditation processes.
Both parties are advised to access all support options available to them and attempt to amicably resolve financial and child living arrangements where possible. Whilst both men and women feel the strain of divorce, they often experience divorce it in slightly different ways.
Read on to find on to find out eight ways divorce affects women differently to men…
1. Economic Factors
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and most couples both offer a financial contribution to the relationship, many contributing an equal amount. However, it is still incredibly common for women to be somewhat financially dependent on their husbands, particularly if they’ve chosen to stop working, or are working part-time to bring up their children.
When a couple are in a happy relationship, financial dynamics like these are unlikely to cause much of an issue, however when a couple gets divorced that dynamic changes. Getting a divorce can leave many women in a financially vulnerable position, which is why it’s so important that women get the assistance of a good divorce solicitor, to protect their rights and interests.
2. Childcare Concerns
As society changes and more people start to question traditional roles and expectations, we now have more stay-at-home fathers than in the past. Regardless, when it comes to childcare, women generally tend to take on the most responsibility. It’s more common for a woman to reduce her working hours, or stop working, giving most of her attention and time to childcare responsibilities.
When a couple gets divorced, they’ll need to negotiate a child arrangements order to determine where the children will live, and how much time they will spend with each parent. It is quite common that judges will decide that the children live with their mothers, however each case varies depending on the situation.
Many fathers may be left in a position where they miss their children, and do not have the opportunity to see them as much as they’d like. Mothers may find themselves feeling the pressure of single parenthood.
3. Emotional Support
Going through a divorce is emotionally draining and both parties will need a little help to get them through this difficult time. Women are likely to receive plenty of support and empathy when going through a divorce. On the flip side, research shows that men are less likely to have such a strong support network.
Of course, everyone’s situation is different but, generally speaking, many men can struggle with the psychological effects of a divorce, finding themselves lacking the support that they need during this trying time.
Getting divorced can leave both parties feeling incredibly anxious, down and stressed, which is why it’s vital that both individuals seek help, whether it’s from their loved ones, or through some form of therapy.
4. New Relationships
Evidence shows that, after divorce, men may be more likely to get remarried than women are. Although many women may prefer to remain single after a divorce, others may struggle with this lifestyle, feeling lonely at times, and wanting a new connection. While at parties individuals are likely to see other people, research shows that fewer women will actually get married again.
5. Single Parenting
Many children end up living with their mothers after a divorce, seeing their fathers often, without permanently living at their father’s home. For women, this can be a big change, and they may find that they have less time to attend to their own personal needs.
It’s important that women access support and make space to do the things that they enjoy and need, as well as spending time looking after their children. Life as a single parent can be challenging for both men and women, and it’s crucial that either party recognises the impact. It’s very important to take care of yourself during a divorce.
6. Domestic Changes
When a couple gets divorced, they’ll naturally experience changes to their lifestyle, including domestic changes. Many people presume that during a divorce, the mother and children stay living in the family home, and that the father moves out. However, according to research study in Pub Med, ‘women are more likely than men to lose homeownership after divorce.’
Losing ownership of the family home is incredibly difficult, but with the right legal support, there’s every possibility of negotiating a better situation. Finding a great lawyer can help women to access the legal assistance that they need to improve their circumstances.
7. Assuming Blame
In the breakdown of a relationship, many women carry self-guilt, worrying that the ending of the relationship is somehow their fault. Blaming yourself or blaming your partner is rarely productive or helpful to the situation.
Thankfully, the divorce law was reformed on April 6th, 2022, meaning that couples no longer need to give a reason for the breakdown of the relationship. Now that women no longer have to reflect on these reasons, there’s less potential for self-guilt, or feeling like they need to blame their partner.
8. Career Pressure
As we’ve discussed above, many women are left with the main bulk of the childcare responsibilities in the aftermath of a divorce. This can put pressure on a women’s career, depending on how old the children are.
Going through a divorce means reflecting on your wants and needs, and attempting to prioritise these, in a new situation. It’s vital that both men and women take necessary steps to reflect on how these changes will affect their careers, and consider any adjustments that they can make, to ensure that things are easier.
How Can you Protect Yourself in the Event of a Divorce?
There are many ways that you can protect yourself in the event of a divorce, including:
Getting a Support Network
It’s vital that both parties have a support network during a divorce. Having a close group of friends and family to talk to makes it easier to get through a difficult time. If you do not feel that you are comfortable talking to your loved ones, it may be a good option to talk to a therapist.
Work with a Solicitor
To protect yourself in the event of a divorce, it’s important to work with a divorce solicitor. A solicitor can offer independent legal support in many ways, including helping you file for divorce in Michigan online with:
- Assistance to complete the divorce application.
- Support to come to a financial agreement with your ex-partner.
- Guidance to negotiate a child arrangement order.
- General advice about the legal processes associated with divorce.
- Representation in court proceedings if necessary.
How Divorce Affects Women Differently to Men
As we’ve discussed, divorce can affect women differently to men in many different ways. Women may find themselves taking on more responsibility to bring up the children, while men may find themselves without such a strong support network during this difficult time.
To protect your interests during the processes, it’s advisable that both parties seek independently legal advice and emotional support from their loved ones.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on the law. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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