Marriage Therapy Surges During The Recession

The New Yorker published an article about how the so-called "mancession," a made-up term describing how more men than usual are affected by job insecurity during the current recession, just might be a boon to the marriage therapy industry.

While the author points out that Americans are among the most "marryingest" and the most "divorcingest" people on earth, she says most couples simply can't afford a divorce right now.

The solution?

It may not work for everyone, but an increasing number of Chicagoans (and Americans in general) too broke to hire a divorce attorney in Chicago may be entering marriage therapy instead. The perspective of many Americans during tough economic times seems to be this: If you can't afford to end it, you may as well make the best of it.

Her article is partly based on the most recent assessment of marriage in America by the Institute for American Values and the University of Virginia's National Marriage Project, entitled "The State of Our Unions: Marriage in America 2009" (PDF).

One of the central paradoxes detailed in the report is that while the recession puts plenty of strain on a marriage, it also financially limits a couple's ability to end the marriage. The report's authors say that the recession has brought some partners closer together, while having the opposite effect on others:

In the face of these pressures, some spouses have succumbed to heavy drinking, depression, and a withdrawal from family life; for some couples, the downturn has fueled marital tension, recriminations, and conflict, spiraling downwards in some cases to divorce.

The New Yorker article doesn't cite research that would back the assertion that the services of marriage counselors are in higher demand. But it does mention the popularity of the television show "The Marriage Ref" and other cultural examples that suggest its growing popularity.

If you are considering divorce as an option, it may be wise to consult a divorce attorney in Chicago. Speaking to an attorney will give you a better idea about complex issues such as alimony, child custody and child support.

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