War an Divorce
Apart from the new changes associated with “the times” a somber factor, with several layers, has been overlooked in regard to Western divorce rates: American troop deployment in the Middle East. As Negrusa, Negrusa, & Hosek (2014) discovered, troops are rapidly deploying overseas with no say in where they go, when they go, or how long they will be gone (p. 473). In the midst of the United States’ longest war, even longer than Vietnam, troops find themselves scattered around the world at the whims of their commanders. Marriage has never been simple for our nation’s heroes, who sacrifice day in and day out, but is now strained to a whole new level. Research suggests that over two million American soldiers have deployed to combat zones since September 11th, 2001, with an average of 1 in 3 years of service spent abroad (Negrusa et al., p. 474). That only covers deployments in support of Iraq and Afghanistan, not disaster relief or noncombat deployments. To put it simply, our servicemen and women are overworked and their marriages stressed.
Consequently, the war in the Middle East has drastically increased the number of service member divorces. The actual rate of military divorces, according to Negrusa, Negrusa, and Hosek (2014), went from a consistent 35 percent prior to the war in 2001, to an outrageous 54 percent by 2003 (p. 479). How do these facts parallel America’s climbing divorce rate? Say of the two million troops deployed to combat zones, roughly half were married. Of that one million married troops, over half will endure a divorce. The result is a possible additional 500,000 plus divorces tacked on to an already elevated rate. Like it or not, this is the reality of our country’s problem. Divorce – costly, painful, and destructive – continues to plague our communities.
Consequently, the war in the Middle East has drastically increased the number of service member divorces. The actual rate of military divorces, according to Negrusa, Negrusa, and Hosek (2014), went from a consistent 35 percent prior to the war in 2001, to an outrageous 54 percent by 2003 (p. 479). How do these facts parallel America’s climbing divorce rate? Say of the two million troops deployed to combat zones, roughly half were married. Of that one million married troops, over half will endure a divorce. The result is a possible additional 500,000 plus divorces tacked on to an already elevated rate. Like it or not, this is the reality of our country’s problem. Divorce – costly, painful, and destructive – continues to plague our communities.