The statistics are out, and studies have shown that couples whose first born child is a girl are 5 percent more likely to divorce, and having multiple daughters increases the rate to 10 percent. In the past, the statistical difference has been viewed from a "pro-boy perspective." The belief was that boys often made men more committed to a marriage.

A new theory has emerged based upon U.S. Census Data that looks at which parent actually filed for divorce. In most cases, 75 percent to be exact, the mother is the one that actually makes the decision by filing divorce papers with the court. The new theory explaining the aptly named the daughter-divorce effect looks at the mother-daughter relationship for the first time.

Clinical psychologist Susan Heitler theorizes that mothers and daughters form a special family relationship within the larger family unit. She believes that daughters give mothers a heightened level of emotional support and may empower mothers who feel that they are in a negative relationship. Mothers may look at their marriage and fear that they are not showing their daughters what a real, love filled relationship is, says the psychologist. Many of these women may be trying to break a multigenerational pattern of abuse exhibited by their parent's and grandparent's relationships.

While the new theory focuses more on the female relationship, they do not completely discount the boy perspective. The theory acknowledges that some mothers may fear raising a boy on their own because of an absence of a father figure or even the fact that boys are less likely to help the mother with daily chores. The data collected for divorce rates has failed to focus on the real reasons for a divorce nor can data ever count factors for divorce that are more of a subliminal reaction than a conscious decision.

Source: ABC News "Couples With Daughters More Likely to Divorce" Courtney Hutchinson 10/6/10