Orange County Divorce Attorney for Women

Besides the obvious reasons for filing, like infidelity or threats of violence, the reasons that women choose to file for divorce range in complexity and can vary from situation to situation. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that a divorce does not need to be based on wrongdoings committed by another spouse, and the reasoning behind filing is unnecessary to pursue separation. Some common reasons women seek divorce include:

• Emotional Burdens: Women are more likely to bear the emotional burdens of their partnerships, premarital relations, and marriages. Any relationship, but particularly marriages, depends heavily on communication. Unfortunately, men are not generally taught how to express themselves or deal with their feelings in a healthy way. Married women are now left to take on a greater share of the emotional burdens, possibly serving as the family’s sole source of emotional support. This can have a devastating physical, mental, and emotional toll over the months and years, leaving spouses feeling isolated. If they experience loneliness, a divorce petition might be filed.
• Labor Divisions: Although traditional gender roles have been mostly abandoned in society, the institution of marriage appears to be reaffirming some gendered duties. In the United States, women now make up slightly over half of the workforce, working away from home more than ever. Even though they have more on their plates outside of the home, women are still burdened with most domestic responsibilities in many marriages. In many households, wives are still frequently expected to handle most of the cooking, cleaning, and childcare duties. This holds true even if both spouses work full-time jobs.
• Independence: In the past, many women stayed in unhappy marriages because they were financially dependent on their husbands. They might not have received the support of nearby family members or the training or education necessary to succeed on their own. Some people may have also been concerned about the divorce’s negative social perception. Today’s spouses are considerably more likely to be free to end a marriage and have access to a much wider range of options. They will not be forced into a marriage they do not desire or feel safe in because of their financial situation. Since divorce occurs in around 50% of all marriages, it no longer carries as much stigma as it once did. This gives women a renewed sense of confidence in filing for divorce.
• Problem-Solving: In general, women are more inclined than men to act when solving an issue. Even if this is not always the case, it can lead women to act more quickly than men to save a failing marriage. Women frequently take action to address issues before men do, such as getting divorced, obtaining counseling or therapy, or filing for such programs. Women are more likely to identify a problem as it develops and take action to prevent or address it before it causes more issues. For example, if a couple’s kitchen sink is full of dishes, a wife is more likely to do the dishes and clean them up, whereas a husband is more likely to continue using new dishes without thinking about how this is contributing to the dish pile up. Although seemingly arbitrary, responsibility questions like these can take an emotional toll on a partner, especially if they have been previously addressed but not solved. Constantly being put into a problem-solving role can be extremely unfulfilling.
• Safety: Although domestic violence impacts both men and women, more women are likely to face an abusive partner, which can lead to divorce. In some cases, divorce proceedings concerning an abusive husband can include provisions regarding restraining orders or restrictive orders, especially if the husband is considered an active threat. Similarly, for women whose husbands are in active addiction or have committed a crime, divorce may be a necessary decision to create distance between her and her husband. These situations revolve around creating a safe and secure environment for the spouses, and sometimes children, who are endangered by the actions of an abusive or unsupportive husband.

As a woman, it may seem intimidating to address these concerns with a partner. Open communication is crucial for a healthy relationship, and without it, issues like these cannot be properly addressed. Seeking legal support with these issues by filing for divorce is a big step, but it is sometimes necessary for resolving any long standing issues with a spouse.