> How do you even measure the latter bit? Basically they look at people who are going through marital problems and collect self reported happiness levels then

> How do you even measure the latter bit? Basically they look at people who are going through marital problems and collect self reported happiness levels then follow up a few years later and collect self reported happiness levels again. Some of those couples will have divorced. Some will still be together. There are certainly issues with these studies but overall they paint a pretty clear picture. > It creates shame, and people feel pressured, due to religion or other social reasons, to stay together. I don't think there is a lot of evidence for this view. The high rate of divorce indicates to me there isn't much of a stigma at all. And there are plenty of sources extolling the benefits of divorce. > And hell, a decent amount of the "poorer" bit could be ascribed to the cost of the divorce itself, It could be. Why should divorce costs should be excluded? > As an aside, do you have any references that support your claims? I haven't looked at these studies in years but I'll see if I can dig them up.