Divorce's ripple effect: Shorter marriages and earlier parenthood for children of split families

A new study has found that children of divorced parents tend to have shorter marriages than those from intact families. On average, their unions last about one year less. The research also highlights differences in when these individuals start their own families.

The findings align with similar studies from Sweden, Norway, and the UK. In these countries, marriages of children from separated homes were 20-30% shorter than those of peers from stable families. For example, Swedish data from 2010–2020 showed an average marriage length of 12 years for this group, compared to 18 years for others.

The study also examined how parental divorce affects the timing of first births. Women from divorced families had their first child around 0.75 years earlier on average. For men, the difference was smaller, at 0.30 years earlier. However, the age at which parents divorced only influenced women's timing—not men's.

Researchers noted that the way parents separate plays a crucial role. Children who maintained good communication with both parents and had ongoing contact were less likely to delay having children themselves. Yet the study emphasised that no direct causal link exists between parental divorce and offspring's relationship choices or family size.

The research suggests that shorter marriages among children of divorce contribute to earlier parenthood, particularly for women. Family dynamics after separation—such as communication and parental involvement—also shape future decisions about starting a family. The findings reflect broader European trends but do not prove that divorce itself causes these patterns.