America is in the throes of a grey divorce revolution as marriedcouples over the age of 50 split up in unprecedented numbers.

随着50岁以上夫妻分道扬镳的数量空前增多，美国正处于“灰发离婚变革”的阵痛中。

Although the overall national divorce rate has been creepingdownwards since the 1980s, the divorce rate among those 50and over -- so-called "gray divorces" -- has doubled over thelast two decades, according to a study released this year by sociologists at Bowling Green StateUniversity. For those over 65, the rate has tripled. In 2020 one in four American who divorced was50 or older. In 1990 it was fewer than one in 10.

鲍灵格林大学社会学家今年发布的调查显示，虽然自上世纪80年代，该国整体离婚率有所下降，但50岁以上人群的离婚率，即所谓的“灰发离婚”比过去20年翻了一番。65岁以上人群的离婚率则增加了两倍。到2020年，每4个离婚的美国人当中就有一个是50多岁，而1990年的这一比例还不到十分之一。

Sociologists call the trend the gray divorce revolution, and they say there are several factors atplay here: the economy, history of relationships, and the role of men and women.

社会学家将这一趋势称之为“灰发离婚变革”，他们表示这一现象背后有许多原因：经济、两人关系的发展历程，以及男女所处角色等。