What is the divorce rate for academics in the US, Canada, and the Netherlands?

  • Thread starter oedipa maas
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Academia
In summary, the conversation discusses the divorce rates for people with academic jobs, specifically physicists in university positions. The author of the conversation notes that they could not find any statistics on the subject, but their friends hypothesized that the divorce rate for physicists in the US is higher than the national average, while it may be lower in Canada and the Netherlands. There is also a discussion on the family-friendliness of academia and the potential impact of age on divorce rates. However, some members of the conversation also mention that their personal experiences lead them to believe that the divorce rate for physicists may actually be lower than the national average. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the unique social dynamics in physics departments and the influence of Nobel prizes on divorce rates.
  • #1
oedipa maas
235
2
Does anybody know of a study which looks at divorce rates for people with academic jobs?

I looked around briefly and only found an old article in which the author notes that she couldn't find any statistics on the subject.
http://www.salon.com/it/feature/1999/03/24feature.html [Broken]

I was discussing this with some friends and they hypothesized that the divorce rate for physicists with university positions in the US (postdocs and professors) was higher than the national average in the US - however they also hypothesized the inverse was true in Canada and the Netherlands.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
to be honest with you, i didn't look at the article. but i have thought about this and talked to my husband about it. from the biographies of scientists (i've read a few about mathematicians and physicists mainly), most of them don't have a relationship or neglect their relationship when they get too wrapped up in their work, when their research and career becomes more important than family. this can happen with any career, though.
 
  • #3
although if you look at Albert einstein and richard feynman both were divorced at a time when divorce was highly frowned upon, so if that trend holds for physicists today then I'd guess the divorce rate would be dramaticly higher.
 
  • #4
I'd somewhat doubt that divorce rates for physicists (or any other scientists) in academic positions would be higher than the national average. My experience in academics is that it's far more family-friendly than a lot of other professions. Keep in mind that the national average is pretty high already (something like 40 or 50% last I heard), so when you see a lot of people going through divorces, it may seem like a lot and still not be all that high compared to the general population.
 
  • #5
Moonbear said:
I'd somewhat doubt that divorce rates for physicists (or any other scientists) in academic positions would be higher than the national average. My experience in academics is that it's far more family-friendly than a lot of other professions. Keep in mind that the national average is pretty high already (something like 40 or 50% last I heard), so when you see a lot of people going through divorces, it may seem like a lot and still not be all that high compared to the general population.

I would even guess that divorce rates would be lower than the national average.

Many people I went to school with postponed getting married until they were done with school, which often wasn't until they were in their late 20s to early 30s. So they tended to be older than the average first-marriage age. Statistically, the younger a couple is when they marry, the higher the likelyhood they will divorce.
 
  • #6
lisab said:
I would even guess that divorce rates would be lower than the national average.

Many people I went to school with postponed getting married until they were done with school, which often wasn't until they were in their late 20s to early 30s. So they tended to be older than the average first-marriage age. Statistically, the younger a couple is when they marry, the higher the likelyhood they will divorce.

I had the same impression, but since I don't work with physicists, wasn't sure if it would be different than other academic departments...the social dynamics in physics departments sometimes seems more "unique" than other departments.
 
  • #7
Moonbear said:
I had the same impression, but since I don't work with physicists, wasn't sure if it would be different than other academic departments...the social dynamics in physics departments sometimes seems more "unique" than other departments.

:rofl:
 
  • #8
CPL.Luke said:
although if you look at Albert einstein and richard feynman both were divorced at a time when divorce was highly frowned upon, so if that trend holds for physicists today then I'd guess the divorce rate would be dramaticly higher.

Hmmm, I'd have to say here that "two points do not a straight line maketh", especially since you can use this same argument to speculate that rate at which Nobel prizes are awarded should be dramatically higher today.

Based on my experience in Canada I certainly expect the divorce rate amongst physicists to be lower than the divorce rate in the general population. I would also speculate that the divorce rate amongst physicists would be lower than the divorce rate for academics in general simply because there are so few women - the male majority are more likely to be in relationships with homemakers or women with very portable professional jobs (eg teachers, nurses) - whereas other disciplines with more women might see more relationships with strain related to the woman holding a non-traditional job. (There's anecdotal evidence for this in the salon.com article.)

However, I find that the US differs from Canada in one interesting regard, which is that Americans in grad school seem to be more likely to be married than Canadians in grad school. I'm also acquaintances of two American grad students (one in astronomy and one in philosophy) who are already divorced!
 
Last edited:
  • #9
however nobel prizes are limited to a certain number every year unlike divorce.

I wasn't trying to pass it off as an accurate assesment as einstein and feynman weren't exactly normal, and as you pointed out 2 points from over 50 years ago don't exactly make for a good sample size.
 

1. What is the divorce rate among academics?

The divorce rate among academics is difficult to measure accurately as it varies depending on factors such as geographical location, field of study, and individual circumstances. However, studies have shown that the divorce rate among academics is generally lower than the national average.

2. Why is the divorce rate lower among academics?

There are several potential reasons for the lower divorce rate among academics. Some researchers suggest that academics tend to marry later in life and have higher levels of education and income, which can contribute to a more stable marriage. Additionally, the demands of academia often require long hours and a strong commitment, which may lead to a stronger sense of dedication and loyalty in relationships.

3. Are there any factors that contribute to a higher divorce rate in academia?

While the divorce rate in academia is generally lower, there are some factors that may contribute to a higher rate among certain groups. For example, female academics may be more likely to experience divorce due to the challenges of balancing career and family responsibilities. Additionally, the high-pressure and competitive nature of academia can also lead to stress and strain on relationships.

4. Does the divorce rate in academia affect job performance?

There is limited research on the direct impact of divorce on job performance in academia. However, some studies have found that individuals going through a divorce may experience increased stress and decreased productivity, which could potentially affect job performance. Additionally, the emotional toll of a divorce may also impact an individual's ability to focus and perform well in their job.

5. What support is available for academics going through a divorce?

Many universities and academic institutions offer resources and support for faculty and staff going through a divorce. This may include counseling services, legal assistance, and flexible work arrangements. Additionally, there are also support groups and online communities specifically for academics going through a divorce where individuals can find advice, guidance, and a sense of community during this difficult time.

Similar threads

  • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
3
Replies
80
Views
64K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • Poll
  • General Discussion
Replies
22
Views
10K
Back
Top