Grey divorce is a term referring to the demographic trend of an increasing divorce rate for older ("grey-haired") couples in long-lasting marriages. Former American vice-presidential couple Tipper and Al Gore's decision to separate after over 40 years of marriage is an example of this trend.
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In the United States
Grey divorce was documented in the United States as early as the 1980s, but wasn't labeled as such until around 2004. The phenomenon entered the public awareness with a 2004 AARP study and was further elucidated in Deirdre Bair's 2007 book Calling It Quits containing interviews with grey divorcees. Older couples are responsible for the overall increase in the divorce rate in the United Kingdom. While wives seek divorces at a higher rate than husbands, some have argued that an increase in older husbands' infidelity, facilitated by the development and increased availability of nitrate-based anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, has led to the divorce increase, though this account has also been disputed. Other researchers have pointed to the increase in human longevity, the cultural values of Baby Boomers, and women's increasing financial independence as potential causes.
Statistics on Grey Divorce
In May 2004, the AARP conducted a study titled the The Divorce Experience: A Study of Divorce at Midlife and Beyond.
Some of the findings consisted of:
Who initiates divorce in later life?
Participants age when divorced
Japan
In Japan it is referred to as retired husband syndrome (主人在宅ストレス症候群, Shujin Zaitaku Sutoresu Shoukougun, literally One's Husband Being at Home Stress Syndrome). While devoting years to his career a husband may rarely see his family. As a result, a husband and wife may not interact extensively and when he retires both can feel they are living with a virtual stranger. This can cause particular stress for the woman who, as society dictated in her youth, is now expected to attend to her husband's every need. The stress this change in lifestyle brings can lead to a number of problems, including feelings of resentment towards husbands.