Hurricane Katrina divorces

The Daily Beast has an interesting article about how New Orleans' divorce rate spiked after Hurricane Katrina. An excerpt:

Call it one of the lesser-discussed effects of Katrina: Having already lost homes and the lives they knew, some people found themselves using the storm as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, ending marriages and walking out on relationships they felt no longer worked.

The writer contends many people used the tragedy not to strengthen their existing relationships, but rather to reinvent themselves through new romantic ties.

The behavior isn't confined to events as massive as Katrina.

Common sense says you and your partner should become closer in tragedy's aftermath.

Something like a family member's death should remind you how short life is, leading you to disregard petty conflicts and tackle life with a new perspective.

At least that's what's supposed to happen.

But in reminding you of life's shortness, tragedy can also fuel a resurgence of independence -- making you more likely to abandon a partner in the name of living life to its fullest.

Thoughts?

(via Double X)