A recent survey reveals that some couples are closer due to the pandemic. That is despite reports of a possible spike in divorce cases in the country.
A survey by the American Family Survey shows that couples have relationship stability despite the pandemic.
The result of the survey
The study surveyed 3,000 individuals. Over the years, since 2015, couples have been saying that their relationship has been the same. However, the relationship stability of the partners surveyed was much different.
More Americans have recently reported that they have felt more significant commitment and appreciation for their partners this time. More than half of the respondents, 56 percent, say that they have a greater appreciation for their spouses because of the pandemic. Also, 80 percent of the parents who took part in the survey said that they consider parenting an essential factor in their identity.
The possible indication of the survey results
According to relationship experts, considering that some couples think this way, then this could also indicate that there might be a decline in divorce due to the pandemic.
Experts add that the pandemic could be a factor for some couples to reorient how they see their partners.
The causes of reorientation in perspective
Because couples are spending more time with each other, their everyday experiences change their perspectives about each other.
Some of the instances that might cover the change of perspectives include:
- Partner responsiveness to challenges
- Providing support in chores
- Having a deeper understanding of each other's professional and personal growth
- Having better emotional support
Aside from all of these, the fact that couples are enduring a time when everything is uncertain provides couples the feeling that they are a team. Not only are they a team but a resilient one for that matter.
The effect of having stability during a pandemic
Even if things are very uncertain due to the pandemic, this is also a time when couples or families get a better grasp of the value of safety at home.
According to Brad Wilcox from the University of Virginia, the pandemic's uncertainty can lower the divorce rate. That is because families appreciate the importance of being together. Also, tough times call for a person's longing for stability, which is what families bring.
Wilcox added that the decline in divorce happened after the Great Depression. Also, there was only another rise in the number of divorces in the late 1940s. During that time, life was way easier again compared to the time of the Great Depression.
