The rise of the 'grey' divorce

While it may be more common to associate divorce with young people who struggle to cope with life's various problems, it seems that an increasing number of older couples are going through a marital separation.

That's according to a report in the Irish Independent, which suggests that 'grey' divorce is on the up and that there are many reasons why couples whose relationship has lasted for several decades may decide to call it a day.

A book entitled Learning from Divorce by Dr Christine Coats and Dr Robert LaCrosse suggests that communication often plays a big part in the divorce proceedings of older couples, noting that it is often the case that husbands and wives who have plenty of time to talk to each other after many busy years dedicated to their family and careers find that they don't actually have anything to talk about.

In addition, people of a certain age may bring their own lives into question when their friends or relatives become ill or pass away and as such may decide to assess their individuality and take stock of their lives.

One such older couple who have recently revealed that they are to divorce is Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson and her husband John Penrose. The couple have said that their split is amicable - and Ms Robinson has jokingly said that she is on the look out for a younger man.

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