A growing number of Asian women are leaving their husbands in their 50s and 60s, seeking independence and freedom. This trend, known as ‘gray divorces,’ is on the rise in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China.

Reasons Behind the Trend

According to experts, the main reason behind this trend is the changing attitude towards divorce, particularly among women. With more women joining the workforce and pursuing higher education, they are becoming more financially independent and confident in their ability to support themselves.

In Japan, for instance, twice as many women as men filed for divorce in 2024, marking a significant shift in the country’s traditional views on marriage and family. Similarly, in South Korea, the number of divorces among couples who had been married for at least 30 years surpassed those among younger couples who were married for less than five years.

Empowerment and Freedom

For women like Eiko Toyama, who left her husband after 32 years of marriage, the decision to divorce has brought a sense of empowerment and freedom. ‘I was nothing but happy (after the divorce),’ she said. ‘I was so happy I wanted to run around all over the place.’

Another woman, Iman Lau, who got divorced in her 50s, described her experience as a ‘rebirth.’ She started pursuing new hobbies, made new friends, and even started learning to play the piano. ‘I didn’t know that life by yourself could be so spectacular,’ she said.

The rise in gray divorces is also driven by legal reforms, which have created safety nets for women who previously had to depend on their husbands’ livelihoods. In South Korea, for example, future pensions and severance pay can now be included in the division of assets, allowing women to receive a fair share of their husband’s pension after divorce.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.