Sticking together for the children may not be the best option

Although some couples who are trapped in a loveless marriage may think that sticking together is what is best for their children, the opposite can actually be true.

According to the Muskegon Chronicle, children are more perceptive than we often give them credit for, and can tell when a situation is deteriorating.

"If the relationship is so unhealthy ... it's not a good situation for the children," Susan P. Johnson, chief executive of Every Woman's Place in Muskegon, said. "We have a tendency to think kids somehow through their immaturity don't understand that something's going on. There's a ton of research that shows that's not the case."

Although the statistics point to many marriages in Muskegon County ending earlier than in previous generations, Johnson noted that this was because couples in the 1960s did not have the resources or knowledge to divorce when things reached a breaking point, the news source reported.

The Day reported that children may be better off with parents who split instead of staying together despite many differences, as they will benefit from a more positive environment and less stress.