Spectabilis
24-02-2010, 01:26 PM
“Ireland has a very low rate of divorce by European standards, comparable to the southern European nations of Italy, Greece and Spain. Even once separation is accounted for, which almost doubles the breakdown rate, the rate of marital breakdown in Ireland remains low. “ ESRI Family Figures
http://www.esri.ie/UserFiles/publications/20100222100957/SUSTAT029.pdf
When the rate of marital breakdown is reported as very low by the ESRI study published yesterday, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Irish couples have longer more stable relationships. We all have the anecdotal evidence of our friends going through difficult break-ups, but this seems to be treated as a matter of private distress rather than public policy.
There is a difficulty in reporting ‘marital’ breakdown since the data now exclude a great many people in their 20s ( and older) who are in relationships but not married and therefore not statistically included. The increasing numbers of same-sex couples are not included either.
“The trend away from marriage among young adults is partly due to the large rise in cohabitation. At age 25 in 2006, twice as many people cohabit as are married. Cohabitation peaks at 28 years, after which marriage becomes more popular. Mostly, cohabitation appears to be a prelude to marriage, but the increase in cohabiting couples with children suggests that a minority of cohabitees may prefer continued cohabitation. “
Do any of you know whether there are 'breakup' data that combine the cohabitation and marital figures? Perhaps you feel it should remain in the private domain. I don't as it seems to treat only marriages as serious relationships where issues of supports, children and property are concerned. The Civil Partnership proposals may alter this but again not all couples will formally enter a civil partnership and continue to be invisible in the data.
http://www.esri.ie/UserFiles/publications/20100222100957/SUSTAT029.pdf
When the rate of marital breakdown is reported as very low by the ESRI study published yesterday, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Irish couples have longer more stable relationships. We all have the anecdotal evidence of our friends going through difficult break-ups, but this seems to be treated as a matter of private distress rather than public policy.
There is a difficulty in reporting ‘marital’ breakdown since the data now exclude a great many people in their 20s ( and older) who are in relationships but not married and therefore not statistically included. The increasing numbers of same-sex couples are not included either.
“The trend away from marriage among young adults is partly due to the large rise in cohabitation. At age 25 in 2006, twice as many people cohabit as are married. Cohabitation peaks at 28 years, after which marriage becomes more popular. Mostly, cohabitation appears to be a prelude to marriage, but the increase in cohabiting couples with children suggests that a minority of cohabitees may prefer continued cohabitation. “
Do any of you know whether there are 'breakup' data that combine the cohabitation and marital figures? Perhaps you feel it should remain in the private domain. I don't as it seems to treat only marriages as serious relationships where issues of supports, children and property are concerned. The Civil Partnership proposals may alter this but again not all couples will formally enter a civil partnership and continue to be invisible in the data.