Some statistics indicate that second marriages end at a higher rate than first marriages. There is a divorce risk for any married couple, but it appears to increase if one or both people have been married before.
This is somewhat surprising to these couples because they often think that the second marriage is a chance to rectify a mistake. They made a mistake marrying their first spouse, but they now have a lot more experience to lean on, so they’ll be more prudent when choosing their second spouse. This seems like it would make their marriage less likely to end in divorce, so why does the opposite happen?
Baggage from the first divorce
In some cases, issues in the second marriage just stem from the first divorce. For instance, someone who found out that their partner was having an extramarital affair may always be concerned that their second spouse is going to do the same thing. This can undermine trust between the two, even if no cheating occurs.
Blended families
There are certainly examples where blended families work well, but they could lead to conflicts. Step siblings may not get along. They may resent the new partner. Even when parents mean well, it’s just more complicated and difficult to blend two families together.
Willingness to use divorce
Finally, someone who has been divorced once may be more willing to divorce again if they think it’s the right decision. They already understand their legal options and they’ve been through the process.
If you and your partner decide to get a divorce this year, whether you’re in your first or second marriage, just be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.