Did you know?

[basilosaurus]

That 2/3 military marriages are struggling?

At least, that's the unsupported statement of an acquaintance of mine who's fundraising for her missionary to the military plea. And that's why you should support her ministry of free bibles.

So, if I look at 3 marriages, 2 are likely to be going sour? Since mine is perfectly fine, I can assume everyone else's suck?

[meltoine]

Well, given that 55% of first marriages end in divorce, I can buy that 66% are struggling. What that has to do with free bibles, now that I'm not sure about.

ETA: My math skills suck.

[beans]

Very interesting indeed! ^o)

Aug 1, 2012 19:31:51 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

So, if I look at 3 marriages, 2 are likely to be going sour? Since mine is perfectly fine, I can assume everyone else's suck?

When I was reading this was my thought too.

[ilovelamp]

Did you know that 3.865^2/10,659.07% of statistics are made up?

[basilosaurus]

Aug 1, 2012 19:41:23 GMT -5 meltoine said:

Well, given that 55% of first marriages end in divorce, I can buy that 66% are struggling. What that has to do with free bibles, now that I'm not sure about.

ETA: My math skills suck.

I don't know where you got that 55%

www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/01news/firstmarr.htm

43% in the first 15 years. Only 20% end in the first 5 years, and I imagine that's more important to the target demographic of the military. Although, young age at marriage is another factor that increases divorce risk.

The correlation of bibles isn't direct in her letter. Basically, she wants money for her mission, and lists problems of which marriage was one, as well as what the money pays for (in addition to her salary).

[beans]

Aug 1, 2012 20:00:26 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Aug 1, 2012 19:41:23 GMT -5 meltoine said:

Well, given that 55% of first marriages end in divorce, I can buy that 66% are struggling. What that has to do with free bibles, now that I'm not sure about.

ETA: My math skills suck.

I don't know where you got that 55%

www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/01news/firstmarr.htm

43% in the first 15 years. Only 20% end in the first 5 years, and I imagine that's more important to the target demographic of the military. Although, young age at marriage is another factor that increases divorce risk.

The correlation of bibles isn't direct in her letter. Basically, she wants money for her mission, and lists problems of which marriage was one, as well as what the money pays for (in addition to her salary).

Also interesting (although I don't have the source for this right now, sorry) I have read that generationally, divorce is continuing to decline. They looked at people married (I think) ten years, and each decade had lower percent for divorce than the previous one.

[basilosaurus]

This kind of talks about that.

www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/health/19divo.html

I think there was a sharp incline in the 70s, as generational attitudes about divorce changed, but balancing that out, possibly turning it the other direction, is increased education and age.

[kpol]

This reminds me of HIMYM. Barney is always making up statistics to make his argument credible but Marshall always "lawyers" him.

That's all I've got...I need more coffee.

[Deleted]

I'm a statistic


Kids, this is what happens when you are a silly 19 yr old.

[MrsAggie]

Well I'm in an O marriage and I got married at 22. Although, H was 26. I think since money tends to be a big factor in divorce, that may contribute to the statistical differences. Officers aren't exactly millionaires but newly enlisted SMs don't make much at first.

[basilosaurus]

Officers and their spouses tend to be more educated, too, which is correlated with lower divorce rates (probably in large part due to age and income I'm sure).

22 is way older than 18 in terms of experiences and changes in maturity, so, while young, not the 18 year old whose divorce rate is something like 70%.

As far as civilian vs military stats, according to AFN the military does better. According to my anecdotal experience, military does way worse. Then again, I don't think I have any friends outside of the military that got married younger than 23, and even that was rare. I also know very few without at least a bachelor's degree (I'm sure I know someone, but off the top of my head can't think of any), so my anecdotal experience isn't exactly representative of average in America.

[NomadicMama]

This makes me feel like that "freshman year of college lecture/challenge". Only X% of you will graduate. How many of you will be here at the end?

According to your friend, if your marriage is positive, look to your left and to your right--evidently *their* marriages suck.

I do think appropriate supports for military marriages are important, because our lifestyle can be challenging, throwing Bibles at people won't help.

And LL--better to be a happy statistic than stuck in a miserable marriage!