I have read that the divorce rates break down into over 40% for 1st marriages, 60% for 2nd marriages, and 70% for 3rd marriages. But I also read that the % of people going into 2nd marriages is relatively low, and only about 6% to 9% of people get married a third time so...But what you highlight is, to me, the crux of thing: Rather than aim to stay married, aim to have a happy, wonderful marriage:) I do think it fluctuates tho--some marriages are going through an ok week or two here or there then a happy week here or there then a 'hanging on' kind of week here or there. Hm. That's about the same way for being single: There are some weeks that are happy, some that aren't, some that we're hanging on:) So maybe...it's a function of being human and being alive rather than a function of being married. Regardless of whether we're married or not, we have to fight for the happy times and hang on during the not so easy times.