As Boris Johnson declared for Brexit two weeks ago, ie his support for Britain leaving the Eurozone, little could he have envisaged the knock on effect of this? Whilst it was predictable that such a political heavyweight, giving his support to such contention might affect currency and shares (this because of the added uncertainty of the British position in leaving the security of the Eurozone) what no one for saw was its impact elsewhere. Put simply, divorce lawyers country wide want to hug Boris because of the overwhelming influx of divorce and cohabitation cases as a consequence.
As the expression “Britain is not an Island” fades fast, because clearly it is possibly going to be redefined as exactly that, if it exits Europe, so too are individuals in relationships.
We know from research that the general populous reflects what they see in the media, whether in films or television etc but now, if the country is to go it alone, apparently so will the individual.
Practitioners are currently debating what is the exact cause of such enormous matrimonial unrest? Is it the uncertainty and fear of the potential unknown that is driving couples apart? Is it the rise of the new defined feminism, or it is mop haired Boris who alone has stirred feelings of Thatcheristic individualism once more?
I do not seek to criticise Boris for his political stance being one of the many European undecided, that merely to point out the impact of his decision.
Whilst divorce practitioners had seen a steady rise in the divorce of the silver splitters, ie those aged between 40-70 for the last few years, whose spending power is vital to the British economy, the newbies, or relatively newly marrieds were relatively firm in their relationships. Since the beginning of the year and certainly in the last two weeks, there are huge numbers of those in their early 30’s that are bailing out at the rate of knots. It has been very much working women led, who have themselves declared that their independence (notwithstanding they have young children in toe) that trumps the security of a marriage environment. We now describe this kind of case as a female vote for Wexit or the wife leaving the relationship. In the case of men in this age group, we call it Mexit.
As someone who often analyses trends, I can see a direct correlation between the vote to leave Europe and the current matrimonial crisis.
With the announcement that due to the necessary financial led problems that pension changes might force women to work into their seventies or eighties, panic has set in. Young women with careers, see an endless stretch of work and matrimonial toil before them that has become overwhelming. Instead of seeing their partners as security to assist them, they perceive their relationships as akin to a life term prison sentence from which they wish to obtain a very early parole. In the view of many seen recently, they do not regard their partners in a partnership, but a drain on their energy and their vision of the future. Wexit seems unfortunately more desirable than remaining in the “marriage zone”.
In the same way that Brexit asks the individual to consider their financial position and autonomy/sovereignty when leaving, similar considerations appear to face the Wexit/Mexit. Are they better off in or out?
Regrettably (although it might be said not for the divorce lawyers), many are voting with their feet.
With the announcement that progress in genetics means that male sperm can be reproduced in animals from male or it seems female skin, there are concerns that relationships in the future may be very different.
If women at both ends of the age spectrum are preferring to go it alone, it is little wonder that men are ever more confused as to their own role.
The Marriage Council set up by Sir Paul Coleridge is desperately trying to advocate marriage and secure relationships particularly for the sake of the children. Media commentators from newspapers such as the Mail, continue to praise marriage and frown upon divorce and its effects. However this has been treated by many with the same distain as “fear mongers” on the remaining side of the Euro argument. That is, you are trying to scare us into remaining in what we have known before, even if we have been totally dissatisfied with it.
Come June, will the remaining vote if successful stem the current matrimonial tide or if we are to exit, compound it? Members of the Brexit movement, you have been warned!!!
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