According to a recent survey among Polish citizens who have filed for divorce in the last five years, 28.7% list incompatibility of character as the main reason for their decision, while 26.1% cite infidelity. Substance or alcohol abuse is also a significant factor, with 15.1% of respondents mentioning it. These three causes together account for nearly 70% of all reasons given. Interestingly, financial disagreements are rarely mentioned as a cause – only 5.1% of the respondents stated this as a reason. Meanwhile, experts note that the actual reasons for divorces can often be multi-dimensional.
Based on the report titled “Poles on the Path to Divorce. Causes,” in the past five years, the most common reason for divorce has been incompatibility of characters, with 28.7% of those surveyed stating this as their reason for filing for divorce.
“In practice, this means that couples are unable to communicate, have different expectations of life, different values or goals. Small misunderstandings and conflicts often escalate over time when there is a lack of open communication. Incompatibility of characters then becomes a general term for a lack of understanding and a willingness to cooperate in the relationship,” assesses Kamil Jura, a divorce lawyer and mediator and co-author of the report from Nowy-Etap.pl.
As Dr. Magdalena Śniegulska from SWPS University points out, it is quite difficult to accurately comment on the survey results. Divorce is generally a taxing event – emotionally, socially, and financially. Hence, this might explain why incompatibility of characters is the most common cause cited. “It’s a broad term that doesn’t explain much but can be a safe option when wanting to quickly finalize affairs without risking a legal battle or incurring court costs,” emphasizes the expert.
Infidelity came second with 26.1% of respondents naming it as a reason. The list of the three most crucial factors concludes with alcohol or drug abuse – highlighted by 15.1% of respondents.
Professor Magdalena Żemojtel-Piotrowska, Director of the Institute of Psychology at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, reflects on these findings. “Any survey-based research is based on declarations. The sample here has been narrowed down to those who have filed for divorce. Therefore, they were determined and affluent enough to bear the litigation costs. The abuse of various substances listed as a cause of divorce seems surprisingly low in the ranking, considering the societal acceptance of alcohol consumption,” she explains.
In the ranking, the application of physical or emotional violence by the other party takes fourth place – 14.4%. Commentators note that financial disagreements have been mentioned by only 5.1% of respondents.
Dr. Natasza Doiczman-Łoboda from the Faculty of Sociology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań adds, “This suggests that in modern times, emotional and interpersonal problems play a more substantial role in the decision to divorce than financial issues. Modern marriages often strive for emotional compatibility and fulfilment, and although financial problems are still significant, they seem less prioritized compared to emotional and psychological needs.”
The Central Statistical Office data shows that in more than 2/3 of the cases, it is women who file for divorce. This is further elucidated by Dr. Śniegulska, “Usually, in almost 80% divorces, no fault is decreed. The husband’s fault is decreed in 15% of the cases, and the wife’s in around 3%. Therefore, possible addictions, infidelity, and violence feature high in the ranking. This seems consistent with the fact that it statistically mostly applies to men. Reasons related to everyday life, lack of own housing, suitable means of living do not favor building relationships and can significantly complicate maintaining them,” she adds.
Prof. Żemojtel-Piotrowska points out financial abuse or quarrels about money as a severe problem. However, being a developed society with a low unemployment rate, both partners have economic independence. This can lead to power struggles in a relationship and problems arising from poverty, for which partners may blame each other.
She explains further, “Therefore, systemically there is no reason to expect financial disagreements to be a significant cause of relationship breakdown. I would rather expect the importance of character incompatibility to increase, which can also involve the way of managing money. In cases of strong financial dependence of one partner on another, deciding on divorce would be difficult. ”
The report also shows that significant absence from home by one spouse and housing difficulties are found in the middle of the listing – with 3.1% and 2.1% respectively. Looking at the least popular indications, factors such as ideological differences -1%, and emotional disorders and mental illnesses – 1.2% can be noted. Religious disagreements were not mentioned at all.
“Housing difficulties often cause stress and tension, but if a couple can cooperate and seek solutions, these do not usually serve as a direct cause of a breakup. Yet, a longer absence of one spouse, for example, due to work abroad, may cause emotional distancing, but many couples can cope with this challenge if their relationship has solid foundations,” says lawyer Kamil Jura.
On the other hand, Dr. Doiczman-Łoboda draws attention to religious disagreements or different worldviews being the least identified as reasons for divorce. This might suggest a few crucial social and cultural factors. Firstly, in Polish society, which is historically quite homogeneous in terms of religion and worldview, discrepancies in these areas might not be as frequent or openly recognized as problems in relationships.
“Poles might tend not to recognize religious and worldview differences as robust enough reasons for divorce, in contrast to more common problems like infidelity or substance abuse. Emotional disorders and mental illnesses often carry a stigma, which may deter people from citing these issues as reasons for divorce, either from fear of social judgment or difficulties in formally proving their influence on the marriage,” points out Dr. Doiczman-Łoboda.
Kamil Jura also emphasizes that every relationship is different, and the actual causes for breakdown may be multi-dimensional. He advises to aim for the most objective and sincere presentation of the situation during mediation and court proceedings. Such an approach may help reach a fair and satisfying solution for both parties. “Unfortunately, various interests, demands, and expectations often clash during the process, which only intensifies proceedings. At that point, the narrative of the process changes. To put it bluntly, parties manipulate the truth to gain more advantage. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for divorce mediation to settle all details beforehand. This speeds up the entire process and significantly reduces the risk of additional conflicts in court,” concludes the lawyer.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/polacy-rozwodza-sie-glownie-przez-uzaleznienia-zdrady-i-niezgodnosc-charakterow-78747
