While divorces are few and far between in third world and slower developing countries (Belize, Libya, Mongolia and Tajikistan with lesser than 0.5 divorces per 1000 marriages), countries like Russia and United States are right near the top of the list, with the lack of time and passion having fizzled out are cited as the primary reasons for separations. Usually, divorces end in a nasty manner. Lawyers are appointed, court orders petitioned, appeals upon appeals sometimes even drag the divorce case longer than when the couple were in limerence. Divorce cases also mostly end up with one party getting more than the other and when kids are involved, it makes things far more complicated.

While most industries have adopted a more wholesome approach of shunning divorces, one of the most unexpected industry has vested an interest, studying divorce rates and the impact it has on their industry. While the toy industry constantly churns out toys that promote family interaction and harmony, the industry gains an unusual boost when families separate. Though this may sound cruel and illogical, yes, Geoffrey the giraffe from Toys R’ Us usually does a celebratory dance when he learns news of a separating couple. Though divorces and separations usually have an adverse psychological effect on kids, we take a look at how the toy industry gains revenue from this shortcoming.

When a family separates, the parents rush to buy gifts and toys to earn the child’s affection. It is a well known fact that toy companies majorly earn revenue from the Christmas holiday season and from birthdays, toys are rarely bought otherwise. A person could walk into Toys R’ Us and waltz through the aisles in April without hitting anyone or anything. Come December though, and it would be an all out war for the last John Cena WWE Superstar action figure.

Statistics have shown that from divorces and separations alone, toy companies could see a noticeable percentage increase in toy sales. This would mean separated parents out-doing each other to buy the affection of a loved one. A young kid who has an interest in Spongebob Squarepants would get a small keychain from his mother. His father, in turn, would get a Spongebob book bag for school to show off to his friends. The mother, noticing this and not wanting to be outdone, gets a 16 inch Spongebob plush toy. His father than surprises even himself and buys a Spongebob pineapple tree house for the kid, who, by this time, has the wrong idea that separations and divorces are a good thing. From this example alone, the kid would have already gotten four presents, not including the ones he will get for Christmas and his birthday, a two-fold increase in toys already.

The number would increase several more folds when a new family unit forms. The father would get a new female friend who would again buy gifts to sweeten the relationship with the kid. So would the mother’s new male friend. This is only the direct family the kid is related to. In a proper scale, once the new family unit has settled down, the child would expect a Christmas and birthday present from his mother, stepfather, father and stepmother. It does not end there. He would in turn get gifts from four sets of grandparents as well. If the kid is at a tender age of four, he would still get gifts from these set of people for many years ahead.

So, while it seems there is no link to divorce and toys, there is actually more to it than meets the eye. Do you see now why the toy industry has a lot of interest in the divorce rate and the growing number of separations? No, they are not being caring and researching new toys that would help kids cope with the separation, they are simply studying how it can help their stocks rise and prosper against the other industries in the business.