While the overall divorce rate in Australia has long trended upwards, the disproportionate surge in separations of couples over the age of 50 has caught many experts by surprise.
The phenomenon known as ‘grey divorce’ or the ‘silver separation’ saw couples who have been married for 20-plus years make up more than 25% of divorces in 2021, compared to 20% a few decades earlier.
There is no separate data available which indicates whether couples who set off on the Big Lap after retirement are more or less likely to fall out of love with each other, or indeed whether many hit the road in the first place to try to fix any cracks in their relationship.
But there are some clues.
Although taking the Big Lap presents some challenges for couples, it can also bring them closer. PIC: Pexels / Kampus Production
Last year, Australian Seniors put out its ‘Love After 50’ report, which found that the primary factors contributing to satisfaction in over-50s relationships included trust and loyalty (77%), mutual respect (71%), and open, honest, and respectful communication (66%).
The report found that dissatisfaction in relationships was primarily driven by poor communication (36%), emotional needs being unmet or feeling unappreciated (33%), and financial stress or disagreements (32%).
Nahum Kozak, a Senior Psychologist with Brisbane-based Lighthouse Relationships told the GNT that the ‘grey divorce’ trend was being driven by a change in social norms.
“It used to be frowned upon to be a retired person who was divorced, but there is no longer that stigma,” he said. “People now see they have a choice about whether they put up with a difficult relationship or whether they make the most of their remaining years.”
Mr Kozak says taking off on the Big Lap and living in close quarters with a partner for extended periods has the potential both to boost, and to harm, relationships.
“If, for example, couples have some past hurts that have not been processed, or if they have never learned to communicate on a deeper level about their feelings, needs, and wants, it can be a real challenge,” he said. “It can also be challenging if they do not know how to talk about things in a way that leads to a happy compromise on things they disagree about … in any of these circumstances, being far from home and family can really highlight where the pain is for these latter couples.”
On the other hand, however, Mr Kozak says life on the open road can be a time for admiration and respect to flourish as grey nomads get to know each other all over again while taking on new and exciting opportunities.
“Overall, from my perspective, changing one’s environment and going on a trip together, or even becoming nomads permanently, can be a beautiful opportunity to explore one another’s hopes and dreams afresh, to effectively begin dating again, and to invite the romance of the open road into their relationships,” he said.
Grey Nomad Members now have the opportunity to win a fantastic Cobb Gas Package, valued at $439. With the base remaining cool-to-touch on the outside, the Cobb allows you to cook on any surface safely with no heat transfer. Ideal for life on the road, camping, boating, beach cook ups, or even just at home. This light (6kg), sturdy, stainless steel cooking system is a dream to travel with.
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a Cobb Grill Premier (Charcoal), valued at $279.95. The Cobb Premier is the epitome of a portable and completely versatile charcoal / briquette fuelled cooking system. Built to last and weighing just 4kg, this sturdy stainless steel cooking system is a perfect accessory for the Big Lap.
Click here to find out more about the prize … and how to enter
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a rearview 170 reversing camera system, valued at $259. This device is solar operated and requires absolutely no wiring and can be fitted by almost anyone within 10 minutes. This means it can be easily transferred from tow vehicle to camper when required. And, best of all, the system offers extremely wide 170-degrees horizontal rear view.
Click here to find out more about the prize … and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
If there are existing relationship problems, living in a confined space like a motorhome or caravan 24/7 is bound to exagerate them.
At least when you’re living in a house you can get away into another room.
My wife and I returned to Busselton on Easter Monday after just on 11 months travelling up as far as Cooktown. We did 7 property sits in Queensland from a cattle farm near Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands to Gympie over Christmas and New Year. Our 8th sit was just West of Raymond Terrace until 27th Jan, then the rest of the time was 3 weeks at NRMA Sydney Lakeside CP then worked our way home.
We had the odd disagreement but that’s normal; no big barneys and would do it again.
In the bush, dogs that always fought one another would be tied together at the collar – they soon became great mates.
I would imagine that this would be the same as two GN’s that always argue – when you put them together in an RV.