How Cultural and Personal Values Can Predict Divorce

What causes marriages to break up? There are a lot of reasons, from financial reasons to infidelity to simply growing apart. A person’s values can also lead to divorce, as seen in a survey conducted by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Their findings show that interaction between the cultural and personal values of each spouse can predict divorce.

Everyone in the world is known to have a variety of cultural and personal values. Cultural values are considered to be shared beliefs connected to societal norms, which can emphasize individual freedom, tradition, and social stability. The study analyzed how cultural values explain variations in divorce, how personal values explain variation within individual countries, and how these two systems interact.

Personal values are beliefs influencing the behavior of a certain person. For instance, one person could value independence, new experiences and pleasure more than a person who is  driven more by a respect for traditions and social conformity.

The content and structure of personal values ranges from conservation to self-enhancement to self-transcendence to openness to change. The researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 participants residing in more than 55 countries worldwide. The researchers looked at the survey responses and focused on their attitudes towards specific aspects of relationships and divorce.

The results showed that divorce was more justifiable in countries that emphasize an importance on self-direction and stimulation. Divorce was less justifiable in countries emphasizing an importance to tradition and conformity values.

Overall, the impact of personal values was stronger when the culture was more likely to emphasize autonomy vs. traditional values. Understanding the role of values in divorce can help people understand the values they desire in their future spouses.

Differences in Personal Values

Differences in personal values can lead to divorce because they shape the way people perceive the world, make decisions, and interact with their partners. When couples have opposing values in key areas, it can create ongoing tension, resentment, and emotional disconnection. Some common areas where these differences cause marital breakdown include:

• Financial priorities. One spouse may value saving and financial security, while the other enjoys spending freely. Disagreements over money management can lead to stress, mistrust, and frustration.
• Parenting styles. If one partner believes in strict discipline while the other favors a more lenient approach, conflicts over raising children can create tension. Differing views on education, religious upbringing, or family involvement can further strain the relationship.
• Lifestyle and social preferences – Some people enjoy a fast-paced, adventurous lifestyle, while others prefer stability and routine. If one partner wants to engage in new experiences while the other is more home-oriented, these differences can lead to frustration.
• Moral and ethical values – Strong differences in political views, personal integrity, or social issues can cause significant arguments, especially if one partner feels disrespected or invalidated in their beliefs.

Seek Legal Help

When a couple’s personal values and cultural ideals clash, it can make marriage difficult. They can also make ending a marriage difficult.

Marriage is hard and divorce can be even harder. Get the help you need from Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. We’ll help you move forward. Schedule a consultation today by calling 954-764-4330 or filling out the online form.

Source:

phys.org/news/2025-02-divorce-interactions-cultural-personal-values.html