Couple navigates early marriage challenges in Lempäälä, Finland

Kethlin and Peter Lörincz from Lempäälä are currently navigating one of the critical phases of marriage, with the challenges intensified by the presence of two small children. According to them, the most difficult aspect of the early marriage years has been blending their individual lifestyles and opinions.

“We don’t always understand why the other does things a certain way. It’s hard when one is used to doing things a certain way and the other disagrees,” Kethlin reflects. The couple has been married for about four years, a statistically significant period, as the risk of divorce for Finnish couples peaks in the third and fourth years of marriage.

While there is no single reason for the divorce spike during this time, sociologist Marika Jalovaara from the University of Turku explains that compatibility issues often arise, and couples may struggle to resolve conflicts. This has led many to evaluate their relationship dynamics earlier than in previous generations, with the “seven-year itch” becoming an outdated notion.

In Finland, only about 850 couples have been married for 70 years. Among them are Mirja and Veikko Saarinen, who highlight the importance of forgiveness in their long-lasting union. Having built their lives together over 71 years, they continue to engage in daily activities as partners. “Once you start being together, there’s no reason to change,” Mirja states.

Statistics indicate that after the critical early years, divorce rates begin to decline, suggesting that the longer couples remain married, the less likely they are to part ways. Factors such as shared experiences, children, and joint assets contribute to their bond, reinforcing commitment despite the inevitable challenges.