In the United States today, a marriage only has a 50-50 chance of lasting. But it can still be surprising when a divorce happens after a long marriage. Psychologists say divorce is almost always painful, whether it comes after three years or 30. With the number of couples divorcing after age 50 on the rise, it’s not surprising that older men and women experience many of the same reactions younger people feel when the marriage is over.

For couples divorcing after a long marriage, there may have been a gradual decay of the relationship. The problems they experience are frequently not so much characterized by conflict, but by a gradual drift into parallel lives. With a dual income family, both partners may become deeply involved in their careers, leaving little time for each other. In a more traditional setting, the husband may settle into a career pattern, with a stay-at-home mom putting all her energy into the children and their activities. Their separation and eventual divorce are often not dramatic. — edubook.com