Post-Coronavirus Divorce: Will Separations Skyrocket after the Pandemic Ends?

The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives; there is no doubt about that. Coronavirus restrictions confined us to our homes, severely changing our daily habits. 

However, what might suffer most after the pandemic are relationships and marriages. Namely, relationship counselors and lawyers believe that divorce rate will soar after the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine ended.  

Reports from China already show a significant rise in divorce rates after coronavirus home quarantine. 

The relationship experts fear that stresses associated with the pandemic can take their toll on marriages and relationships nationwide. 

Quarantine-linked strains such as conflicts over chores and children, boredom, money concerns, inability to take a break from each other, and lack of regular everyday activities can provoke many couples to reconsider their reasons for staying together. 

What has Kept Couples Together Through the Pandemic?

While the shared time during quarantine brought many couples closer together, being forced to spend too much time together for other isolated couples created various challenges. 

Whatever the specific situation, COVID-19 and isolation have affected the dynamics in many marriages and families. 

From a practical standpoint, however, many couples may find it tricky to divorce while locked down. 

It was nearly impossible to move out or find a new place to live during quarantine. The pandemic-related job loss, financial burden, and child care challenge only complicated the situation for couples in distress. 

Crisis can drive people apart, but it can also bring them together. For some couples, staying together during lockdown was the best way to cope. 

How Might Relationships Change after the Pandemic?

With the rise in vaccination rates and the re-opening of society, many people are returning to the (new) normal. But, will your relationship change now that the pandemic is starting to fade (at least this variant's-worth)? 

Spending too much time with other people during quarantine can be extremely challenging, no matter how close you are. How will pandemic impact our romantic relationships?

Already Troubled Relationships

For couples who already experience trouble, the constant tension during the pandemic can only add to the stress. Couples in crisis who cannot have their regular routines, do things separately, and escape from one another due to lockdown may decide to end their relationships once the pandemic is over. 

Roommate Marriages

For many couples, emotional distance and loss of intimacy have intensified during the pandemic – studies suggest a strong correlation between exposure to stress and a decrease in sexual intimacy and relationship satisfaction. 

Some studies show that an increasing number of people have engaged in virtual affairs during a lockdown. 

Being quarantined or working from home means no 'me time' for many coupled individuals. Spending time at home with their partner day in and out can significantly strain some relationships. Although physically together, many people feel lonely and disconnected in their relationships, so they look for connection and affection outside of their marriages. 

Post-Covid and New Year's Resolutions

Holidays are when we typically make decisions, set goals, and create resolutions. For example, changing a relationship status is an important New Year's resolution for many people.  

Discernment counseling can be a safe environment to thoughtfully reflect on your relationship and decide together on the best steps in your marriage. 

The Pandemic Burden on Women

Many women have been shouldering more responsibility for everyday things such as child care, distance learning, working household chores, and emotional support to other family members throughout the pandemic. 

It seems that millions of women have taken on a disproportionate burden of the pandemic. For many working moms, uncertainty linked to coronavirus goes hand in hand with responsibility. Confusion about what is expected from them in new circumstances, uncertainty about how long their kids' online classes will last, or how to organize time while working from home can be overwhelming. At the same time, most women have to be supportive of their children, elderly parents, or frontline-working partners.

Pronged stress can turn into anxiety, depression, and burnout – a state of complete emotional and physical exhaustion that can trigger additional health problems, reduce motivation and productivity, and impair relationships. 

Summary

The pandemic and lockdown have changed our lives on so many levels. As a result, couples are facing more challenges. At the same time, many of them have fewer resources or limited access to resources to manage stress, leading to increased divorce rates after the pandemic ends. 

Online couples counseling can be an excellent starting place whether you are trying to save your relationship or separate on good terms.  

To find out more about our services, click here: divorce counseling.