A recent Huffington Post article discussed the likelihood of success in second and third marriages, and the numbers might be a bit surprising. While the divorce rate for first marriages is reportedly between 40 and 50 percent, second marriages have a divorce rate as high as 67 percent. Third marriages have a divorce rate as high as 73 percent allegedly. How does the rate go up so steeply; don’t people learn from their mistakes the first or second time around? Apparently not.
Within the post, a whole slew of reasons as to why this may be are suggested. Often people find themselves in a rut and make the same mistakes. Maybe the spouse refuses to accept his or her role in the first breakup. Some people rush into another marriage the second they feel another spark, and others fear being alone and just want to be in another marriage as soon as possible. Some people rush into another marriage because of lacking basic household skills and not wanting to have to learn them. Whatever the reason may be, it’s clear that not everyone learns from mistakes in round 1.
For many couples second or third marriages include the additional stresses of children and stepchildren, which can play a role in adding to the likelihood of another divorce. Before getting remarried a second or third time, it’s important for each spouse to examine issues that may be inspiring jumping into a marriage too quickly. Divorce is never easy, and it’s especially not any easier a second or third time around.
Source: “Second and Third Marriages: Destined for Divorce?“, Jim Duzak, February 8, 2013