2 Reasons Why More And More Marriages Are Ending In 'Gray Divorce'

Why do some people choose to divorce after already spending decades together? Here's what psychology says about it.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | July 29, 2024

A "gray divorce" refers to the phenomenon of older adults, typically aged 50 and above, ending their marriages. Many wonder why a couple that has stayed together for so long would only realize much later in life that they aren't right for each other.

However, it is essential to remember that people can learn what's right or wrong for them at any point in their lives and that, sometimes, it takes years to act on such a life-changing realization.

So, what finally leads to their breaking point after years together? A recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships explored the experiences of 44 divorcees—60 years and older—and found that there is usually a two-phase process behind the timing of late-life divorces.

Here are two reasons why long-term marriages end in gray divorce, according to the study.

1. Staying Together While Growing Apart

Researchers found that the first phase leading up to a gray divorce often involves long-term dissatisfaction in the marriage, with couples staying together nonetheless.

Ex-spouses reported growing apart due to instances of infidelity, verbal abuse and being controlled by the other person, realizing their incompatibility due to differences of character and a lack of communication or going through personal development, which created distance between them when their partner did not want to pursue the same path.

This dissatisfaction motivated them to seek a divorce, but they often stayed together longer for their children and due to being financially dependent on their spouse, adhering to the social norms of their time and avoiding the stigma associated with divorce.

For instance, one couple from the study, Dan aged 69 and Rachel aged 68, explain their differing perspectives on the end of their marriage after 32 years together.

"He studied with twenty-five-year-old girls, and suddenly he got a motorcycle driver's license, and suddenly he wouldn't come home. From the experience of the long-standing betrayal and the experience of the lies that have also been told throughout all these years, it has been 10 years. I really wanted to get a divorce, a long, long time ago, but the argument was not to break up the family because there was the daughter who was at home," says Rachel.

In contrast, Dan says, "I went to study and an amazing world opened for me that very, very much I wanted my ex-wife to be my partner in. At first, she complied, and it was a lot of fun. At some point she either got fed up or it didn't interest her. We no longer had the usual topics of conversation. The divorce was essentially a final stop in a process that had started years before. And with all the suspicion that I have someone, what she is caught up on is my infidelity. That it started there. But it didn't start from there."

Another participant, Ruth, aged 68 and previously married for 44 years, describes how personality differences and flawed communication styles strained her marriage but socio-cultural circumstances delayed the divorce:

"I am a very warm person, very emotional, very hugging, very loving, and my partner was very cold, very intelligent. We were dragged into endless arguments about who is right, what word was said, in what tone it was said and what punishment is due for it. It was exhausting," says Ruth.

"For many years I wanted a divorce, and I was probably not strong enough to do it. In the early years I was so immature, think about it, the 1970s, what it meant to get divorced. We didn't have examples of those who did it. It took me a while to even believe that I was in a situation which actually isn't good," Ruth adds.

2. Realizing That The Marriage Must End

Researchers suggest that the second phase of marriage culminating in a gray divorce is when the decision is finalized after years of escalating marital distress, due to significant turning points where the marriage goes completely downhill.

These "points of no return" include specific events such as a public event that puts the couple's strained relationship on display, amplified instances of marital or financial dishonesty or extreme instances of physical, economic or emotional abuse. This often leads to a moment of clarity and decisiveness about getting divorced.

Additionally, participants explain how they were in a better position to get divorced due to changes in the family structure such as finally having an "empty nest," changing sociocultural norms as time passed, gaining emotional maturity and a strong desire to enjoy the remainder of their lives.

"Ex-dyad David aged 70 and Miriam aged 69 are divorced after 40 years of marriage, following ongoing infidelities and David's disrespectful behavior since the beginning of the marriage. The point of no return was David's 60th birthday party, to which several of the husband's romantic partners were invited. Miriam gave David an ultimatum about inviting these women to the event, which was ignored. This was the moment she decided to divorce. Public exposure of a poor marital relationship forces us to face the marital reality and promotes realization that change is necessary," the researchers write.

Another ex-couple, Sarah aged 62 and Jacob aged 66, were married for 35 years but divorced when Jacob had felt deeply unappreciated and disrespected by her and Sarah had suddenly learned about his infidelity. For Sarah, his refusal to admit his infidelity or seek couple's counseling impacted her decision more than the act itself. Jacob had a different breaking point:

"On holiday eve I bought presents for everyone and gave them to my wife and children. She tells me "I didn't buy you anything, go downtown tomorrow and buy something for yourself." It was so representative - get along - I'm not supposed to do anything about it. It's peanuts, yeah?I made some sort of decision that the 20–25 years I have left to live, I want to live them as I see fit. And that led me to leave home," Jacob explains.

These vulnerable stories are a reminder to detect the signs of marital strain early and address them promptly. Gray divorce is often rooted in deep-seated issues, significant turning points and personal evolutions that span many years. It involves navigating complex emotions, societal expectations and the practicalities of starting anew.

Yet, these individuals show remarkable resilience and a determination to seek happiness in their remaining years, proving that it's never too late to reevaluate one's path and make changes that align with their personal growth and well-being. An authentic and fulfilling life is always worth pursuing, regardless of your age.

Are you feeling lonely in your marriage? Take this test to receive a science-backed answer: Loneliness in Intimate Relationships Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here, and on PsychologyToday.com, here.