For married couples, spending time together is an important component of an ongoing relationship. This does not mean that they cannot have time apart or their own interests. But if they spend too much time apart, there is some evidence that it can increase the odds of a divorce.
For example, some reports looked at data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and they determined that those in the military had a higher divorce rate than those who chose other careers. Being a member of the Armed Forces inherently makes divorce more likely than it is for a civilian couple.
Part of the reason is that the military lifestyle requires time apart. A spouse may be at home raising their children alone while the member of the military is at training exercises, has been transferred to a different base or location, or has been deployed overseas.
A long commute
Another example is that some reports equate long commutes with higher divorce rates. Specifically, some studies claim that the odds of divorce go up by 40% when a commute exceeds 45 minutes.
It is not that spending time in traffic negatively affects the marriage, but just that the couple has less time together. Someone who has a long commute, especially if they also have a demanding job and work long hours, spends less time with their spouse than someone who works from home or has a short, local commute.
Over time, as relationships break down and couples drift apart, divorce becomes a distinct possibility. It is important for these couples to understand all of their legal rights.