A new study has indicated that over a fifth of parents have stayed in a relationship for longer than they wanted to for the sake of their children.
On average, parents stayed together an additional five and a half years because of their children, when they would have otherwise split up.
Also, parents are staying in relationships for over half a decade longer than they would have if it wasn’t for their children.
Interestingly, the study, which was commissioned by Direct Line Insurance, also demonstrated a division between men and women on their reasons for staying together. The main reason for men is because they believe it is better for children to have two parents living at home (46 per cent), while for women it is because they cannot afford to separate with the other parent (31 per cent). This highlights the financial challenges many families, and especially women, can face when splitting up as the previous combined household income then needs to stretch across two properties and often cover additional childcare costs too.
There is a clear generational difference, with parents now over the age of 55 believing they stayed in a relationship for nearly seven years longer due to their kids, compared to just over three years for parents currently under the age of 35. It shows how attitudes are changing towards break-ups and relationships where children are involved.
If you have a family law query, then please contact our team at Lund Bennett Law LLP on 0161 924 0079.