S4: Ep 8 - Zach Brittle on Covid and divorce
Today we’re talking about a covid pivot that I’ve seen a bit lately - divorce.
Strange that being locked in a house with your partner would make you question your life’s choices….
Because I’m hearing anecdotal evidence about more people splitting this year than I’ve heard in the past, I decided to do some research into whether or not what I was hearing on the street was actually true. Turns out, it might be. Here are some statistics that I thought you all might enjoy:
One caveat - these are taken from a divorce attorney’s compilation of divorce studies so take them with a grain of salt:
There are nearly 3 divorces in the time it takes for a couple to recite their wedding vows (2 minutes).
The risk of divorce was said to be almost doubled – 97 percent higher – when the mother went out to work but her husband made a “minimal contribution” to housework and childcare. So many women experienced this in Covid.
In 2022, expect the divorce rate to be at least 44.2%.
So, rather than turning to a divorce attorney for an interview, I thought it might be more illuminating to hear from a marriage counselor - maybe we can come through this next 50 minutes with some advice and hope rather than doom for our relationships. Enter Zach Brittle.
Zach is a Gottman certified marriage therapist - you’ll learn what that means in the episode- he’s also a best selling author (books found here), and also a podcaster. His show Marriage Therapy Radio provides weekly insights into the daily struggles of marriage, and offers a look into the science behind great relationships. Zach agreed to lend his expertise on why couples might have had more conflict over the last two year and identifies ways we might re-evaluate our current relationships to set a new course for the future.
For anyone in a partnership, this episode isn’t a downer - it’s meant to give us all some new tools and perspective as we all reset post-covid. Let’s face it - most relationships could always benefit from some new tools in the toolbox. Enjoy.
It’s hard to disagree with science-backed relationship advice, and I while I certainly don’t enjoy grabbing the reins of my four horseman, I know it will make me a better partner. Please listen to Zach’s podcast - Marriage Therapy Radio anywhere you find podcasts, and please share this with anyone you think might benefit from this conversation. Marriage is hard. The last two years have been hard and they’ve revealed both pleasant and unpleasant things about all of us. Here’s where we reset. Good luck.