新奇事件簿 研究表明三月和八月离婚率升高

Couples might want to put a little extra effort into their marriage just before March and August every year. Sociologists have identified annual spikes¹ in the number of divorces filed in these two months. Researchers from the University of Washington analysed data for divorces filed in the U.S. state of Washington between 2001 and 2015. There were almost 25,000 divorces filed in the state in 2014 alone. The scientists found that over the 14-year period of the study, divorce rates peaked in August, after the summer holidays, and in March, after the Christmas and New Year holidays. Some researchers said the divorces could be due to financial problems caused by the winter and summer holidays.

夫妻们或许想在每年的三月和八月之前为他们的婚姻做出一点额外的努力。社会学家发现每年的这两个月离婚率会升高。来自华盛顿大学的研究人员分析了2001年至2015年间美国华盛顿州登记的离婚数据。仅在2014年，该州就有2.5万对夫妻离婚。科学家发现，在研究的14年间，八月份，也就是夏季假期过后，以及三月份，圣诞节和新年假期过后，离婚率会上升。一些研究人员表示，离婚可能是由于冬季和夏季假期引发的财政问题。

Researcher Julie Brines suggested that the anti-climax felt after the build-up to holidays, and the holidays themselves, may leave couples feeling stressed and deflated². She said: "People tend to face the holidays with rising expectations, despite what disappointments they might have had in years past." She added: "[Holidays] represent periods in the year when there's the anticipation³ or the opportunity for a new beginning, a new start, something different, a transition into a new period of life. It's like an optimism cycle." Couples generally spend more time in closer proximity⁴ to each other during holidays, which may actually exacerbate⁵ tensions rather than rekindle⁶ romance.

研究员Julie Brines表示，期待节日的到来以及过节的热情之后的平淡可能让夫妻们感到压力和气馁。她说：“人们倾向于对节日带有越来越高的期望，尽管过去多年的节日都是以失望收场。”她补充说：“节日代表着一年中有期望的日期，或者代表有机会迎接新的开始，形势有所不同，生活过渡到新的时期。就好像一个乐观周期。”通常来说，节日期间，夫妻们会花费更多的时间在一起，这实际上可能加重紧张关系，而不是重燃爱火。

1 spikes   

n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划

参考例句：

• a row of iron spikes on a wall 墙头的一排尖铁
• There is a row of spikes on top of the prison wall to prevent the prisoners escaping. 监狱墙头装有一排尖钉，以防犯人逃跑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 deflated   

adj. 灰心丧气的

参考例句：

• I was quite deflated by her lack of interest in my suggestions.他对我的建议兴趣不大，令我感到十分气馁。
• He was deflated by the news.这消息令他泄气。

3 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。

4 proximity   

n.接近，邻近

参考例句：

• Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
• Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。

5 exacerbate   

v.恶化，增剧，激怒，使加剧

参考例句：

• WMO says a warming climate can exacerbate air pollution.世界气象组织说，气候变暖可能会加剧空气污染。
• In fact efforts will merely exacerbate the current problem.实际上努力只会加剧当前的问题。

6 rekindle   

v.使再振作；再点火

参考例句：

• Nothing could rekindle her extinct passion.她激情已逝,无从心回意转。
• Is there anything could rekindle his extinct passion?有什么事情可重燃他逝去的热情呢？