This is why you're more likely to get divorced in summer

No more summer lovin'

We’ve all heard about a summer of love. But what about a summer of… divorce?

It’s estimated that 42% of British marriages end in divorce – the lowest rate in over 40 years. But now that summer is finally here, you might want to give your marriage a little TLC.

According to a new study by the University of Washington, divorce rates appear to spike in August as summer loving well and truly comes to an end.

But alongside August, the research found that the rate of divorces also consistently spiked in March, in the wake of the Christmas holidays.

The reason? One theory is that it’s down to people putting off their separation during important family times such as Christmas and the summer holidays.

However, the sociologists who conducted the research also argued that when holidays fail to live up to expectations, it can put marriages under strain.

(FYI, if you do end up separating, you can always console yourself with a divorce party like they throw in Japan.)

Professor Julie Brines from the University of Washington explains: ‘People tend to face the holidays with rising expectations, despite what disappointments they might have had in years past.

‘They represent periods in the year when there’s the anticipation or the opportunity for a new beginning, a new start, something different, a transition into a new period of life.

‘It’s like an optimism cycle in a sense.’

Well, that’s certainly one way to put a positive spin on things.