Midlife Dimensions

Not really. Yet many people feel the way to escape an unhappy marriage is through divorce. However, divorce and remarriage does not usually turn out to be a satisfying solution and causes more pain than the dissatisfying marriage.

Statistics show a declining satisfaction with each repeat marriage. First marriages are now lasting an average of 11 years, while second marriages are lasting only 7 years, and third marriages are surviving a dismal 5 years.

Morton Hunt has surveyed hundreds of people. "Of them all, I can recall only a handful who did not suffer considerable pain as the result of the marital breakup; many suffered intensely, some to the point of attempting suicide." A better solution than divorce is to put effort and money into making your present marriage a happy one.