Every engaged couple is haunted by the statistic that half of all marriages end in divorce. But who wins and who loses in the game of marriage isn't random. By the time you say "I do," there are already pre-existing factors that can raise the odds of divorce as high as 70 percent or lower it to nearly 20 percent.
Will your marriage make it? Ten factors that will help.
Happily Ever After Hint #1: You're Educated.
Going to college increases your chances of getting married and reduces the risk of divorce by 13 percent. Why? Experts suggest educated couples have fewer money woes and are better at negotiating.
Happily Ever After Hint #2: You're Older
Couples who waited until they were over 25 to walk down the aisle, are 24 percent less likely to split. You're actually improving your odds of lasting success by test-driving all those toads before you find the prince!
Happily Ever After Hint #3: You're In the Black
Money is a major source of conflict, so it makes sense that couples who have more of it have less to argue about. Couples who make a modest $50,000 a year are a whopping 68 percent more likely to see their 15th anniversary. Wealthier (or at least modestly well-off) couples tend to divorce over personality conflicts, while poorer couples divorce over alcoholism, abuse and money problems.
Happily Ever After Hint #5: You're a Sox Fan.
According to University of Denver psychologist Dr. Howard Markman, cities with major league baseball teams have a lower divorce rate than those that do not. Cities who've introduced teams in the last decade have seen their divorce rates decline up to 30 percent. Fun and friendship is an important part of a healthy relationship, he says. "One way to get going is to head for your nearest ballpark."
Happily Ever After Hint #6: You're Tight With Dad.
Your first major relationship is the one with your parents. For women in particular, their relationship with their father is indicative of their success with future mates. Daughters with a poor relationship with Pop are more likely to divorce. No dad in the picture? Studies show that a good relationship with your father-in-law can help.
Happily Ever After Hint #7: You're Holding Off on Kids.
Couples who wait to procreate (at least seven months after marriage) lower their risk of divorce by 24 percent. Couples who had a baby and then the wedding, often get married because of the kid, not because of the relationship. Plus, waiting a while before building the nursery gives couples time to set the tone of their relationship.
Happily Ever After Hint #8: You're an Older Bride
No one knows why, but Demi Moore got it right. Marriages between an older bride and a younger group are up to five percent less likely to dissolve.
Happily Ever After Hint #9: You're Religious
Being religious doesn't make a couple happier with marriage, but it does mean they might try a little harder to stick it out. Religious couples are 19 percent less likely to split. What your denomination is matters less, although, (fun fact!) Catholics get divorced the least, and Protestants the most.
Happily Ever After Hint #10: You're Prepared.
Couples who have attended premarital classes or counseling cut their odds of divorce by almost a third. Experts aren't sure if the classes actually change the couples, or if the couples who go are already more realistic and savvy to the dangers (which is why they signed up for it).
