Long-Term Marriages and Divorce

Rates of "gray divorce" or a separation after the age of 50 have more than doubled in recent decades. According to Susan Brown, co-director of the National Center for Family and Marriage Research  at Bowling Green State, reaching 50 brings major life transitions such as the children moving out of a house. Oftentimes, a divorce is not precipitated by a single event but is a result of drifting apart.  Other reasons given for divorces include longer life spans and more economic independence. See People Magazine, May 6, 2021 article, "Bill & Melinda Gates' Split Shines Light on "Gray Divorce" Trend Experts Think Pandemic Fuels" (https://people.com/human-interest/bill-melinda-gates-split-brings-attention-to-gray-divorce-trend) 

The article notes that the Covid-19 pandemic forced more introspection and people are less willing to stay in empty shell marriages that are not conflictual but are also not happy.

The fact that couples in long-term marriages are divorcing is not necessarily a negative thing if those marriages are beyond repair. Oftentimes, much resentment and animosity can build up over the years in unhealthy, long term marriages.
  
An AARP study, "The Divorce Experience: A Study of Divorce at Midlife and Beyond" (http://www.aarp.org/relationships/love-sex/info-2004/divorce.html), found that 70 percent of those who initiated the divorce were confident they had done the right thing.  In addition, 75 percent of the women in their 50s and 81 percent of the men in their 50s reported enjoying a serious, exclusive relationship after their divorce often within two years. Further, 80 percent of respondents reported either a somewhat or very positive outlook on their life.