Everyone desires once-in-a-lifetime love and marriage, but experience demonstrates that this is a rare event in harsh reality. Recently, divorce rates have increased 2.5 times in the previous 50 years, while marriage rates have decreased two times. The good news is that predicting a divorce is likely, and scientific evidence supports this.
We hope for a future with more calm and robust families. That’s why we sifted through numerous studies to identify the nine most distinct divorce predictors revealed by scientists.
1. The number of smiles in their childhood photos
Psychologists conducted a series of tests to determine whether it is possible to forecast divorce using childhood and youthful imagery. In one study, scientists used images from a college yearbook to rate the power of grins on a scale of 1 to 10. The test involves straining two muscles: one clinched the jaw and the other caused wrinkles around the eyes.
There were no divorces among people whose smiles were rated as “10.” Among the frowners, every fourth person divorced simultaneously. On average, those who look gloomy in photographs are five times more likely to divorce than those who grin.
2. The emotional tone of their voice
A computer algorithm can predict the success of a marriage with 79 per cent accuracy based solely on the sound of the couples’ voices when communicating. Scientists analysed the discussions of over 100 couples who were seeing a counsellor and tracked their marital status over five years.
Intensity, pitch, “jitter,” and “shimmer” can all be utilised to convey strong emotions. It is important not just to say what you mean but also to say it properly. According to the experts, this also applies to pair partnerships.
3. Colleagues of the opposite sex
According to Danish studies, those who work only with people of the opposite sex are 15% more likely to divorce.
When they looked at all of the couples who married in Denmark between 1981 and 2002, they were able to see the problem from a bigger perspective. They realised that one million of them were already divorced.
4. Mother’s upbringing
Women file for divorce at a higher rate than men. Furthermore, research has found that most couples mirror the behaviour of their parents, particularly their mothers.
Sociologists studied the actions of 7,000 people and discovered that when a mother moved into a new relationship (whether marriage or cohabitation), her adult children behaved similarly.
5. Ignoring conflicts
There are four symptoms of a prospective divorce: disdain, victimhood, opponents, and disregarding arguments. The “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” may appear innocent at first glance, but it is actually an extremely harmful behavioural technique.
Assume you’re all set for a fierce debate about a topic that’s been bugging you for a while. The conversation abruptly comes to a halt.
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It may appear that doing so allows spouses to maintain harmony, but this is not the case. While fights and disagreements aren’t the most enjoyable aspects of communication, they do help to cross all of the T’s. They are anticipated to resolve the lingering difficulties. If these circumstances are missed, more difficulties will arise.
6. A husband’s negative attitude towards his wife’s friends
Over 16 years of marriage, experts studied the relationships of 373 couples. By their 16th year of marriage, 46% of couples had divorced, and the husband’s criticism of his wife’s friends in the first year of marriage frequently foretold a split.
This is because female-female friendships persist longer due to emotional connection and support, whereas male friendships are typically built on shared activities. As a result, males find it easier to change their contact circle and more difficult to reconcile with their wives’ mates, whom they despise.
7. Newlyweds’ excessive affection towards each other
A study that examined 168 couples who had been together for fewer than thirteen years said, “When they were newlyweds, couples who got divorced 7 or more years later showed almost 1/3 more love for each other than spouses in more stable marriages.”
This is because couples who started a relationship with high romantic feelings were more likely to end it. After all, maintaining the intensity of those feelings was challenging for them. Marriages with less ‘Hollywood romance’ start with a greater chance of succeeding.
8. Poverty and unemployment
Living in a difficult situation is challenging. These families’ relationships fail more frequently than financially stable households.
People believe the plan operates harshly to extract money from men’s wallets. Most separated and divorced males have such low salaries that they contribute very little to the well-being of their mothers and children.
9. Narrow bed
Couples should sleep separately or on a very large bed for their mental and physical well-being, good sleep, and a safe family environment. Researchers studying sleep disorders discovered that 30-40% of couples sleep in separate beds, which is actually a good thing because poor sleep can lead to divorce. Therefore, if you want to keep your relationship safe, make sure you get enough sleep.
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Khaid, a rising Nigerian music star, has recently returned to social media after a period of absence due to a serious health issue. He had been hospitalized for a month due to internal bleeding, which caused significant concern among his fans and fellow artists.
The young artist, whose real name is Sulaimon Shekoni Abiola, had been away from the public eye for several months. His health condition was initially revealed by his manager and record label boss, Sydney Talker. Videos showing Khaid in distress circulated online.
Upon his return to social media, Khaid made some dramatic changes to his online presence.
Most notably, he has unfollowed everyone on his Instagram account except for one person: the well-known musician Olamide. This unexpected action has sparked curiosity and speculation among his followers and industry insiders about potential changes in Khaid’s professional relationships.
The only hints about Khaid’s current state of mind come from a series of cryptic posts he has shared. These posts appear to address his critics and suggest that he may be experiencing both personal and professional conflicts.
“Y’all set me up but can never shut me up. FYI, I’m Young Trump, I wish y’all long life so y’all can reap what you’ve sown accordingly,” Khaid wrote in one of his posts. “Thank God for helping me overcome what many would face and die. They can’t hold the boy down, we rise again!”
Khaid’s decision to unfollow Sydney Talker on social media has surprised many.
Sydney Talker was instrumental in Khaid’s rise to fame, having signed him to Neville Records. This action has led to much speculation about possible conflicts or changes in their professional relationship.
Khaid and Sydney Talker
The exact reasons for Khaid’s dramatic social media changes are not yet known. Some people think this could be a strategy to gain public attention. Others believe it might indicate serious issues within Khaid’s professional circle.
Despite these controversies, many of Khaid’s fans continue to show strong support for him. They are excited to see what he will do next in his career.
Khaid’s recovery from his health problems and his return to social media represent a personal victory. Also, it shows the beginning of a new phase in his music career.
As Khaid moves forward in the music industry, his determination and resilience are clearly evident. Both his supporters and critics will be paying close attention to his next moves.
Khaid’s story is still developing, and many are interested to see how he will navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in his career.
Africa’s most popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, is about to launch its ninth season (BBNaija 9) in a few days. This season’s theme focuses on pairing contestants and creating dynamic duos, promising to bring exciting new elements to the show.
The upcoming BBNaija season 9 is designed to offer viewers unexpected twists and turns throughout its run. Contestants, known as housemates, will be entertaining audiences across Africa for a total of 71 days.
As the premiere approaches, viewers can anticipate five specific twists, turns, and prizes that will be part of this season’s BBNaija experience. These elements are expected to add extra excitement and intrigue to the show’s format.
The show’s producers have likely prepared these surprises to keep both the contestants and the audience engaged throughout the season. These new features may involve unique challenges, special rewards, or unexpected changes to the game’s rules.
1. BBNaija 9 is centred around duos
BBNaija season nine will revolve around the concept of duos. The show’s organizers have revealed that contestants will be selected based on their ability to function effectively as pairs. The focus on partnerships will be a central theme throughout the season.
“What Biggie has asked for this year is for pairs to audition, which is the first time this is happening. This year we asked for people to come with their friends, besties, family members, wives, husbands, and partners, to enter the show together as a pair. That was the selection criteria,” said Dr Busola Tejumola, the Executive Head, Content & Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice.
2. Big Prizes and sponsors
The grand prize for this season’s Big Brother Naija is a whopping ₦100 million. This impressive package includes a cash prize and a brand new SUV. While there are already several sponsors on board, the full list of prizes is still uncertain due to recent controversies surrounding sponsorships.
3. A new twist for the head of house
This season’s Head of House challenge will be unlike anything viewers have seen before. Starting immediately after the launch show on Sunday, there will be a new primetime activity that will kick off the competition.
Dr Tejumola said,
“Right after the launch show on Sunday, a new activity will start. This season has high stakes. It’s going to move fast, and it will unravel right from Sunday night when we launch the show.”
HoH Ballot, which will determine the first Head of House on Monday, July 29th will replace the usual Head of House challenge.
A series of challenges, including the Custodian Lock-In, Immunity Challenge, and nominations will follow through. The organizers are aiming to create a more dynamic and exciting experience for both contestants and viewers.
4. Fans can win too
In addition to the contestants competing for the grand prize, viewers have the chance to win as well through the Fave Lock-In. By predicting the winning pairs in the Immunity Challenge, lucky fans can win ₦1 million every week.
The new season of Big Brother Naija premieres on Sunday, July 28th on Africa Magic channels. To participate in voting and the Fave Lock-In, fans must download the new MyDStv app before the launch date. The old MyDStv app will no longer be available.
“Londoner” is an autobiographical film that tells the story of Ayo, a Nigerian bank manager who moves to London to reunite with his family. The film, written and directed by Babatunde Apalowo, recently achieved recognition at the Durban FilmMart. It won the Red Sea Film Fund Award for Best Fiction Feature. This prestigious award came with a cash prize of $5,000.
The Durban FilmMart Institute, which organized the event, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting both local and international trade and investment in African film content. This institute plays a crucial role in showcasing and supporting African filmmakers and their projects.
Babatunde Apalowo, the creative force behind “Londoner,” is a Nigerian film director and screenwriter who has made the United Kingdom his base. His portfolio includes several notable works such as “A Place for Happiness,” “Catcher,” “The Millions,” and “Death for Sale.” Apalowo’s talent received international recognition in 2023 when he won the Teddy Award at the Berlin Film Festival for his queer romance film titled “All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White.”
The 15th edition of the Durban FilmMart, held in South Africa from July 19 to July 22, served as a platform for numerous impressive film projects from across the African continent. It was during this event that “Londoner” received its accolade.
Babatunde Apalowo
Produced by Pamela Drameh and Sarudzayi Marufu, “Londoner” goes into the complex emotions of its protagonist, Ayo. The film follows Ayo’s journey as he arrives in London, expecting to join his family, only to face an unexpected and heartbreaking situation. He discovers that his wife has become emotionally involved with another man and is seeking a divorce, adding a layer of personal turmoil to his already challenging experience of relocating to a new country.
The narrative of “Londoner” draws inspiration from Apalowo’s own experiences as an immigrant in the UK.
The director’s struggle to find a sense of belonging in a foreign land forms the emotional core of the film. In an interview with Variety, Apalowo shared his personal insights, highlighting the stark contrast between Nigeria and London in terms of personal space and social interactions. He poignantly described the loneliness he felt in London, a city where the anonymity and indifference of urban life stood in stark contrast to the close-knit communities he was accustomed to in Nigeria.
“Londoner” marks Apalowo’s second venture into feature filmmaking, showcasing his growth as a director and his ability to translate personal experiences into compelling cinematic narratives. The film’s success at the Durban FilmMart not only recognizes Apalowo’s talent but also brings attention to the important themes of migration, cultural adjustment, and personal relationships that the film explores.
The Durban FilmMart also celebrated other talented filmmakers. Among them were Sean Drummond and Sheetal Magan, who received The Known Inner Circle Award for their South African film “Acts of Man.” This award came with a substantial cash prize of $10,000, further demonstrating the event’s commitment to supporting and promoting African cinema.