Divorce in Singapore is, unfortunately, on the rise compared to previous years and more interestingly, parents of twins have significantly added to this count. According to Reuters Service reports, parents of twins are more likely to get divorced rather than parents of non-twins. There are several causes as to what drives these parents of twins to divorce. However, the most common ones are financial strain, emotional stress and marital discord.
Financial strain
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Parents of twins are more likely to get divorced because of the financial strain that they had experienced after the arrival of babies. In cases of in vitro fertilization treatments, the strain had already started even before the conception of the twins. With twin babies, expenses on milk, diapers, clothes, medicines and other necessary baby equipment are doubled. These expenses will continue to grow higher as the children grow older, especially when they start going to school.
If the married couple is rich or is both employed with high-paying salaries, having twins may not be such a big problem. But parents of twins are more likely to get divorced if one parent is only supporting the family or if the family income isn’t enough. The stress of the expenses can lead married couples to fight and argue constantly and, if the situation isn’t remedied, could lead to divorce.
Emotional Stress
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Mothers of twins are more prone to suffer from postpartum depression. The impact of the depression could cause the marriage to end to divorce. Postpartum depressed mothers can feel a variety of symptoms. This includes silence, constant crying, lack of self-care, and loss of appetite. In some extreme cases, postpartum depression sufferers also show suicidal tendencies and intent to harm their twins.
Most mothers suffering from postpartum depression are not understood by their husbands. If not treated, these parents of twins are more likely to get divorced. Aside from medicines and professional help, these women need a lot of understanding, encouragement and help in raising the kids.
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Marital discord
Emotional disconnect can negatively impact a relationship and can be a catalyst for parents of twins making it more likely for them to get divorced. | Image source: iStock
Parents of twins are more likely to get divorced because they can’t deal with the babies in their lives while being a couple simultaneously. Some wives unknowingly neglect their husbands because they are too busy taking care of the twins. Husbands who are looking for continuous intimacy from their wives are often disappointed by the lack of it in their relationship.
The huge change that happens in the marriage when the twins arrive is enough to shake the foundations of marriage. If the couple doesn’t prioritize their marriage simultaneously with the twins, it will surely end in divorce.
Do note that the purpose of this study isn’t to discourage couples from having twins. This is actually a warning that having babies, twins in particular, is a constant challenge and requires a lot of adjustments and dedication. Parents of twins are more likely to get divorced if they do not de-stress and take care of themselves and their relationship too.
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Do you agree with this particular study? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below. Should you want to know more about why parents of twins are more likely to get divorced, please see this video: