A new wave of research is challenging long-held beliefs about marriage vows, especially the pledge to stay together “in sickness and in health.” Findings published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and summarized by Psychology Today in May 2025 reveal a troubling pattern: women who fall ill in their 50s and early 60s face a significantly higher risk of divorce than men. For Thailand—with its rapidly aging population and evolving social norms—these insights touch at the heart of family resilience and gender equity.
Thai society places strong emphasis on family, with caring for elders traditionally at its core. Yet social realities are shifting quickly. Thai couples face new pressures on long-term marriages as divorce rates inch upward. The psychological toll of family breakdown in late life can be profound for individuals and communities alike, a trend echoed in recent regional and global data. Research from Europe and beyond shows a rising “silver split”—divorces among couples over 50 have increased markedly in the United States over three decades, with France and Belgium reporting particularly high rates.
In a February 2025 European study covering 25,542 heterosexual couples aged 50 to 64 over 18 years, researchers found that marital stability is strongest when both partners are healthy. Divorce rates do not rise significantly when husbands become seriously ill. But when wives become ill or face physical limitations that hamper daily tasks, the risk of divorce increases substantially. In short, illness disrupts late-life marriages far more when it affects women.
Experts interpret these findings as evidence of enduring gender roles. While younger Thais may increasingly embrace egalitarian relationships, many traditional beliefs about a wife’s duties to home and family still shape marriage dynamics. The expectation that women are the primary managers of the household can make illness feel like a rupture of the marital contract. When a husband is ill, families often adapt; when a wife falls ill, the disruption can threaten the relationship’s stability.
Beyond health, unpaid domestic labor remains disproportionately shouldered by women. Data from global studies show these gendered labor patterns persist across generations, even as societal norms evolve. In Thailand, many young men still grow up without robust models of caregiving, a dynamic that can echo into later life and affect marital outcomes.
Thailand’s aging trajectory intensifies the implications. With more than 20 percent of the population projected to be over 60 by 2040, and more elderly women at risk of isolation, later-life divorce could heighten loneliness, poverty, and strain on healthcare and social services. If wives facing health challenges are more likely to divorce, the burden on already stretched welfare systems could intensify.
Thai experts emphasize a complex mix of factors behind these trends. A policy specialist at the Ministry of Public Health notes that cultural values of compassion and family loyalty often clash with lived experiences, especially for older women whose traditional roles may be upended by illness. A leading social work academic calls for policy changes that anticipate the consequences of later-life divorce and safeguard vulnerable elderly women.
Rural-urban differences matter as well. In rural areas, extended families can provide care, but urban migration reduces available family support. While increasing financial independence for women may empower some to leave unsatisfying unions, it can also raise risks if health problems arise. International data from the United Nations and other agencies highlight similar patterns of aging, caregiving, and gender dynamics in many societies.
Culturally, Thailand’s Buddhist heritage emphasizes compassion and interdependence, guiding collective responsibility for those in need. Yet religious values alone cannot erase entrenched gender expectations or economic realities. Addressing the issue requires practical policy interventions alongside a shift in social norms.
Experts propose concrete steps: expand support groups, counseling, and respite care for older couples dealing with illness; run education campaigns that promote shared caregiving responsibilities for all ages; strengthen financial safety nets and ensure accessible healthcare for divorced or widowed seniors. These measures can help prevent poverty and isolation and support healthier, more resilient marriages.
For readers and policymakers, the takeaway is clear. As Thailand ages, building resilience in older marriages and advancing gender equity in unpaid care are essential for family stability and national well-being. Couples should discuss expectations and available support early, while society works to value caregiving as a shared responsibility deserving dignity and resources.
In Thailand’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, the goal is to honor the promise “in sickness and in health” for all spouses, whatever life brings.