There's no doubt that there's about a 50/50 chance of a marriage ending in divorce - but the main reasons why couples divorce these days may surprise you. A 2011 British study found that the number-one reason for couples divorcing was not infidelity (the main reason for eight years running); it was falling out of love. Other reasons included cheating, "unreasonable behavior," midlife crises and abuse. Researchers speculated that an affair was more easily overcome in relationships in which couples still loved each other because there was something to fight for. One therapist interviewed for the study speculated that the public has seen several celebrity couples work through infidelity publicly and are more willing to do so now.
Many couples seem to be preparing for the impermanence of marriage as well - 101 divorce lawyers surveyed in the study noticed a major uptick in couples who draft prenuptial agreements. The flagging economy seems to have an effect on when and if couples divorce as well. So what can couples do to stem the tide of divorces caused by falling out of love? Therapists blame a hectic lifestyle and multitasking as culprits for neglecting relationships. Counselor Christine Northam told The Telegraph, “What’s normally the case is that their relationship has slid down their list of priorities, replaced by the pressures of work, money worries or raising a family.” She said couples who still loved each other weren't still in love, which was a major reason for them splitting. Changing that divorce rate depends on couples who can devote time to nurture their relationships.