Why older couples are getting divorced

I was reading a woman's weekly on the airplane that analyzed why the divorce rate among Japanese couples over 55 is on the rise. (The overall divorce rate is on the decline.)

- Greater life expectancy means more life to live. Back in the day when people only lived until they were sixty-something, it seemed reasonable to stick around even after the kids grew up, since there wasn't much time to start over anyway. Now, with the average life expectancy in Japan being much higher, people see the post-child-rearing era as an opportunity to start over, to find romance again, or to travel, or whatever it is they haven't gotten out of their system.

- A couple years ago, in my very first TokyoMango blog post ever, I wrote about a new law offering half of the husband's pension to his divorcee. This, of course, enables housewives to survive financially without being at their husbands' beck and call.

- Women forget that men need to be babied. One woman expert commented that women take care of the men in the early days of marriage, but by the time their husbands are getting ready to retire, they aren't as enthusiastic about it anymore. Treat your husband as you would your son, she suggests.

- Women are sick of being disrespected. One male expert commented that many husbands are super rude to their wives, not treating them as equals and shunning their efforts to make things work as a couple. It serves them right that the woman finally feel empowered to get up and leave.

- One woman expert, divorced, reminds older couples to try everything possible to make amends before making the final split.

Comments

[Anglo/American-Dave]

Could you also consider the fact that these couples are now spending more time togethere. where as before he was all about work untill late. out drinking with colegues. not that they are retiring they have all there time with each other. they are now living with someone new that was not the same person due to the fact that are now around.

[jessant17]

Dave,

If you have ever seen an older Japanese couple interact you would understand why women run the hell away from their husbands. Older men in general are just rude, because no one will confront them about it. If you do they'll seize up and probably have a heart attack. I've never been harassed by any other segment of the Japanese population but older men feel it's perfectly within their right's to stalk me in stores. They are even more rude to their wives. They expect them to do everything for them, even chart their asses around when they don't feel like walking. Older Japanese men are like babies. Oba-sans are hanging with each other now. I see these oba-sans all the time on the train, going places with each other. Women to women relations are much better in Japan probably because the older men are so horrid. It has too be more psychologically fulfilling. Good on you old women! This young woman is cheering you on.

[masami]

Wasn't there a dorama about an older couple getting divorced a while back? My parents watched it religiously and my dad got scared by it!