What Is the Season of Divorce?

Good question. In fact, there are two seasons of divorce: March and August, the periods following winter and summer vacations.  We know that because researchers at the University of Washington analyzed divorce filings in Washington state between 2001 and 2015. A U of Washington news release reports that the findings suggest that the decision to divorce may be driven by a “domestic ritual” calendar governing family behavior. Study author Julie Brines points out that winter and summer holidays are culturally sacred times for families,– times when filing for divorce is considered inappropriate, even taboo. Brines thinks troubled couples may see the holidays as a time to mend relationships and start anew: We’ll have a happy Christmas together as a family or take the kids for a nice camping trip, the thinking goes, and things will be better. Except things are not always better. And when they’re worse, it’s time to call in the lawyers.