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A study conducted by the University of Missouri has revealed that couples that receive state benefits and have combined annual incomes of less than $20,000 (around £12,500) are more likely to divorce. A finding which has been relayed by several news providers in the US. Whilst the fact that couples who experience financial hardship are likely to encounter matrimonial difficulties is in no way surprising, though, the report also highlighted that couples who also claim state benefits are more likely to divorce than those on low incomes alone. The report’s author, David Schramm, explained that couples who are struggling to make ends meets are likely to be stressed and irritable and that this often results in marital dissatisfaction which, in turn, is likely to lead to divorce. Not one report has put forward any possible explanation as to why those in receipt of benefits are more likely to divorce, however, which – considering the fact that each relied upon this particular ‘angle’ within their headlines – is somewhat unusual. Now, I have at this time been unable to locate a copy of the report in question, and whilst I accept that Schramm may well have posited on why the claiming of benefits may bring about a divorce, I will presume – in accordance with the contents of the aforementioned articles – that no such theory was put forward and state my own conjecture: couples that are claiming benefits are likely to be experiencing greater financial difficulty than those that are not. These couples are therefore subjected to even greater pressure which can result in marital dissatisfaction and divorce. It’s a very simple theory, yes, but it also makes a great deal of sense. Claiming benefits alone is, in my humble opinion, unlikely to cause a couple to divorce. , Hardship, on the other hand leads to unhappiness and marital unhappiness will, almost inevitably, end in divorce.