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Science Says You’re More Likely To Divorce In Summer

A new study has revealed couples are more likely to divorce in August [Photo: burak kostak via Pexels]

Holidays. We start counting the sleeps to them as early as January and can’t wait to hit the sun lounger for some sun, sea and serious relaxation. But some couples might be coming back from those precious two weeks in the med with more than tanlines and a timeline phone full of loved-up selfies. They could well return home single, because according to a new report summer is one of the seasonal periods during which divorce rates spike.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington suggests that couples are more likely to call it quits after the pressure of family-heavy periods of the year ie summer hols, which makes August a decidedly dodgy month for anyone teetering on the brink of divorce. Eek!

“People tend to face the holidays with rising expectations, despite what disappointments they might have had in years past,” explained associate sociology professor Julie Brines, one of the study authors. “They represent periods in the year when there’s the anticipation or the opportunity for a new beginning, a new start, something different, a transition into a new period of life. It’s like an optimism cycle, in a sense.”

Not all holidays have a happy ending [Photo: stokpic.com via Pexels]

But when that much anticipated hol, doesn’t quite live up to expectation and summer lovin is more summer squabbling, it could be the tipping point for some couples to call in the divorce lawyers.

Julie Brines also believes that the start of the school year in September adds an extra incentive to couples with children who want to sort out their custody arrangements and parenting schedules before the littlies are back in uniform.

And August isn’t the only dicey month for divorce, apparently March is equally as risky in the wake of the Christmas holidays.

The reason? One theory scientists have is people put off their separation during important family times such as Christmas. Plus many couples look to the festive period as a chance to reset their relationship.

The study has revealed August and March to be divorce flash periods [Photo: splitshire.com via Pexels]

“Troubled couples may see the holidays as a time to mend relationships and start anew,” the press release for the study explains. “We’ll have a happy Christmas together as a family or take the kids for a nice camping trip, the thinking goes, and things will be better.”

On the other hand, the divorce spike in March could be explained not because couples waited for the holidays to be over but because of the holidays themselves. Blending two families over a luke warm turkey and crap secret santas is enough to test even the strongest of partnerships.

So while August is nearly over, and you’ve nearly dodged divorce season part one (yay!), it’s only 123 days til Christmas which marks the start of divorce season part two *sighs*

Do you think summer holidays can put pressure on relationships? Let us know @YahooStyleUK

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