8 Jobs With The Highest Divorce Rates (Surprising!)

Key Takeaways:

• High-stress jobs impact marriages
• Irregular hours fuel disconnection
• Emotional labor increases tension
• Distance affects intimacy
• Monotony can erode relationships

Ever wondered if your job could be sabotaging your marriage? When we think about why relationships fail, we often point fingers at communication breakdowns, financial strain, or infidelity. But what if your career is a hidden culprit? Research shows that certain jobs correlate with higher divorce rates, with stress, odd hours, and demanding emotional labor often at the heart of the issue. The truth is, some professions take such a toll that they leave little room for nurturing a healthy partnership. Let's dive into which careers are most likely to drive couples apart and why.

Here are 8 jobs with the highest divorce rates in the country, according to research

It's no secret that some careers can put more strain on relationships than others. While every couple faces challenges, certain professions come with a unique set of pressures that can drive a wedge between partners. The constant stress, irregular hours, and emotional demands of specific jobs can slowly erode the bonds that hold marriages together. Let's explore the jobs that have the highest divorce rates and uncover why they're more likely to take a toll on relationships.

1. Gaming managers: High-stakes and stressful hours

Gaming managers, particularly those working in bustling casinos, face immense pressure to keep the gaming floor running smoothly. The nature of their job involves long, erratic hours, often during nights and weekends. It's not just the extended hours that cause trouble at home—there's also the stress of managing high-stakes games where fortunes are won or lost in moments. This pressure cooker environment leaves little time for emotional connection with a partner.

Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship expert, notes that consistent stress can lead to what he calls “negative sentiment override,” where even neutral or positive interactions are viewed through a lens of negativity. If gaming managers bring their workplace stress home, it can seep into their personal lives, making their partners feel neglected or disconnected. With such intense work schedules, many couples find themselves drifting apart.

2. Bartenders: Late nights and emotional labor

Bartending may seem like a fun, social job, but it comes with hidden challenges that can impact relationships. Bartenders often work late into the night, keeping them away from home during crucial family time. Even more taxing is the emotional labor involved—bartenders not only serve drinks but also listen to the troubles of their customers. The combination of irregular hours and emotional exhaustion can take a significant toll on their relationships.

Psychologists suggest that bartenders frequently deal with “emotional contagion,” where they absorb the emotions of others. Coming home drained from managing people's problems all night can leave little energy for meaningful connection with a partner. Over time, this can lead to feelings of resentment or distance, especially if their significant other feels neglected due to their late-night schedule.

3. Gaming service workers: Pressure and unpredictable schedules

Gaming service workers, such as dealers and attendants, face similar challenges to gaming managers. They work in environments filled with noise, chaos, and high stakes. The unpredictability of their schedules can make it difficult to plan quality time with loved ones. Many gaming service workers also face pressure to maintain an upbeat demeanor even during stressful situations.

These workers often operate in a heightened state of “emotional regulation,” trying to keep their cool while handling difficult customers. But constantly suppressing one's emotions can have consequences. According to Dr. Brené Brown, emotional suppression leads to disconnection—not just from ourselves but from those we love. For gaming service workers, this can translate into a strained marriage, where partners may feel they're no longer able to reach the person they once knew.

4. Flight attendants: Distance and irregular shifts

Flight attendants often face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining relationships. Being away for days or even weeks at a time can lead to feelings of loneliness and emotional distance. When one partner is frequently traveling, it can be tough to keep the intimacy alive. Add to that the irregular shifts and jet lag, and it becomes a recipe for disconnection.

Long-distance relationships require extra effort to maintain trust and closeness. As relationship expert Esther Perel puts it, “Desire needs distance; intimacy needs proximity.” For flight attendants, balancing these opposing forces can be incredibly difficult, especially if their partner starts to feel like they are living separate lives. The physical absence often leads to emotional absence, causing fractures that can be hard to mend.

5 & 6. Rolling machine operators & extruding machine operators: Repetitive work strain

For those working as rolling machine operators or extruding machine operators, the grind can take a heavy toll—not just physically, but emotionally. These jobs often involve repetitive tasks performed in isolation, leading to physical fatigue and mental burnout. The monotony can seep into one's personal life, making it difficult to disconnect from work. Many people in these roles experience “job strain,” a psychological phenomenon where high demands are coupled with low control, resulting in increased stress.

While the consistent paycheck may seem like a blessing, the toll on personal relationships is often overlooked. According to Dr. Robert Karasek's demand-control model, high job demands paired with little autonomy can lead to chronic stress. This stress, if left unchecked, often spills into family life, making even the smallest domestic disagreements feel like insurmountable obstacles. In the long run, couples may struggle to find joy together, especially if work exhaustion leaves little room for intimacy.

7. Switchboard operators: Monotony and isolation

Switchboard operators have become a rarity in our digital age, but those who still hold these positions often find themselves grappling with a different set of challenges. The work can be tedious and solitary, leading to feelings of isolation. Spending hours on end in front of a switchboard with minimal human interaction can make even the most social individuals feel lonely.

Social isolation, as explained by psychologist Julianne Holt-Lunstad, can be as harmful to one's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The impact extends beyond physical health, affecting emotional well-being and relationship quality. Many switchboard operators find themselves emotionally drained by the time they get home, making it difficult to engage in meaningful conversations with their partners. The lack of mental stimulation at work can lead to a lack of energy in personal relationships, causing marriages to wither slowly.

8. Telemarketers: High rejection and stress

Telemarketing is infamous for its high turnover rates and even higher stress levels. Imagine spending your day facing constant rejection and irate customers while trying to hit sales targets. The emotional exhaustion this job causes can create significant tension at home, especially if a partner feels overwhelmed by the negativity they face daily.

Rejection sensitivity, a concept explored by psychologist Dr. Geraldine Downey, can affect telemarketers significantly. Constantly dealing with rejection can heighten one's sensitivity to perceived slights, making them more likely to react defensively, even in personal relationships. This can erode trust and closeness, especially if telemarketers struggle to leave their work frustrations at the door.

Recommended Resources

• "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by Dr. John Gottman
• "Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown
• "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman