Retired Husband Syndrome is a Cause for Divorce in Japan

For the majority of individuals, retirement is a time to relax and take in the results of a lifetime of hard work. You have enough money in savings to last you the rest of your life, so you can unwind and indulge in whatever it is you've always wanted to do. Although it is debatable whether many or any of us will have the opportunity to retire, for those in Japan who have already done so, it presents a whole new set of issues.

In Japan, a stress-related illness known as Retired Husband Syndrome is highly common, affecting as many as 60% of elderly women. When the husband, who spent years working, retires and spends all of his time at home, it happens. These couples would have had extremely tense relationships that were more of a commercial transaction than anything else, not particularly loving or even friendly.

The wife takes care of the home and children while the man earns a living. But when he stays at home constantly, the stress wears on everyone and the relationships suffer. Women may get rashes, ulcers, and more. Even though divorce was less socially acceptable in Japan, the divorce rate has been steadily increasing for a long time. Despite being far higher than even thirty years ago, they are still cheaper than American rates.