The Gore divorce: When love fades in a marriage

 

[caption id="attachment_10822" align="alignleft" width="258" caption="Al Gore's wedding - wikimedia commons"][/caption]

 Carol Forsloff - Faded love is often rumored to be part of what happens to most marriages, but is that true; and if so, how can this be prevented.

The end of Al and Tipper Gore's 40-Year marriage raises the question in the minds of many just how marriages are able to keep a lid on trouble, then suddenly in later years end.

Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper lived in the spotlight for 40 years, a bright
spotlight that put them in front of the proverbial cameras frequently
during tumultuous political times.

While most people heard of Al Gore, because of his pronouncements on the Internet and climate change as well as his run for the Presidency, Tipper has been famous as
well as an author and advocate for the Parents Music Resource Center,
which is the advisory committee on the appropriateness of music lyrics.

The split of this high profile couple makes people wonder about marriage and turns upside down the idea that older couples or don't divorce or long-term marriages remain in spite of trouble.

Life expectancy has changed relationships, so the emotional distances can grow wide over the
years.  Some marriages have trouble standing the test of time for that reason.

Most marriages that are going to end do so in the first decade, especially first-time marriages,
which typically terminate during the first eight years.

The odds of divorce do decrease dramatically with time, but irreconcilable differences can
occur at any time.  Sometimes a marital breakup won't occur because of the children or fear of financial difficulty.  Still other couples are
afraid to lose friends or their public face.

What may be a surprise to some people, however, is that the second highest divorce rate, according to divorce attorneys,
occurs among couples who have been married between 20 and 25 years.   This means after reflections of children that may now be grown, less financial demands made on the partners, and when professional standings
have been acquired.

What type of marriages survive?  Both marital advisors and attorneys agree that marriage takes work, a genuine affection for one another, attention and honesty.

Just assuming a long-term relationship will survive because it is long-term is not enough, experts say.  It is important to tend the flame of love forever so it doesn't go out.