Can long commutes on work days destroy a marriage? A study in Sweden shows that a long-distance commute for a job will reduce available family time for the commuter, which will mean that a commuter's spouse will take on a larger share of household duties. This type of routine can, of course, can cause tension in any type of relationship and even lead to divorce.
The study found that the risk of divorce actually goes up by 40 percent for commuters, reports Daily Mail. To no surprise, the risk of divorce or separation is the highest in the first few years of commuting to work. After several years of commuting, families will often adjust and become accustomed to the extended period of time away from the home.
"To be able to commute to work can be a positive thing because it means you don't have to uproot your family with every career move but it can also be a strain on your relationship," author of the study, Erika Sandow, told The Local.
Houstonians may find this study to be especially valuable, since the Houston metro area is known to have a large number of long distance commuters. In 2005, Houston ranked 15th among the 68 largest U.S. cities for longest commutes. As reported by the Houston Business Journal, that average commute for Houston residents in 2003 was 25.8 minutes.
Divorce can not only be emotional and devastating for couples, but the legal process of divorce can also be time consuming. A dissolution of marriage in the state of Texas can be especially complex if there are children between the divorcing couple.
Related Resources:
- Find a Houston Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
- Law on Divorce and Child Custody - Texas (FindLaw)
- Understanding the Divorce Process (FindLaw)
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