One in ten married couples are staying together ‘just for the kids’ – and plan to split when the children are old enough, a study revealed today.
Financial, emotional and physical pressures of modern life, which place a huge strain on relationships, are believed to be behind the worryingly high figure.
The shocking statistic emerged in a report which also found millions of parents will now resume battle after six weeks of playing happy families during the ‘summer ceasefire’.
It means heartache lies ahead for tens of thousands of children and young adults.
The survey results come at a time when the number of couples filing for divorce rises as tensions escalate after a strife filled summer when feuding families were forced to spend time together.
Break-up and bereavement support website HealBee commissioned the study after experiencing a 40 per cent rise in the number of visitors.
A spokesman said: ‘What we are most surprised at is that it would seem that many parents feel compelled to stick together with a disregard for their own happiness, or without fully considering the effect on children growing up in a household where there is animosity.
‘Aside from the very real possibility of children blaming themselves for their parents’ unhappiness should they choose to stay together, but then separate when they’re older, these children might also follow their parents’ patterns in their own relationships.
‘If you grow up in an environment where everyone around you speaks with a certain accent you simply don’t notice it until you are outside of that environment.
‘Children are both highly receptive to their role models’ actions, but also perceptive to any changes such as increased tension within the household.’
