Growth Of Divorce Rates By James Wallis At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

What do you think could have led to such a situation? The commonly held belief is that the ‘divorce reform acts’ are largely to blame. However, liberal laws can never induce couples to terminate their marital union and wreak havoc on their happy family lives. The Divorce Reform Act has at best given all unhappily married couples, freedom to choose happiness.

The Divorce Reform Act

The Divorce Reform Act of 1969 came into effect in the year 1972. This was the year that saw an unprecedented number of couples terminating their dismal married life. People, who were victims of domestic violence, escaped grievous spouse-inflicted injuries. Emotionally-abused partners separated and regained their lost self confidence. Cheated spouses sought relief from adulterous partners. People trapped in loveless marriages dissolved their unions seeking meaningful relationships.

The Divorce Reform Act has enabled spouses to walk out of oppressive marriages. They no longer helplessly tolerated their situation. The increased number of divorced people brought about a silent attitudinal change in society.

Change of Attitude

Prior to 1969, very few marital unions (Just 27,000 couples in the year 1961 in the UK) ended in a divorce. The divorced minority were often frowned upon. After the enactment of the Divorce Reform Act, 125,000 people divorced in 1972. Society soon began accepting the swelling numbers of divorced people. Social acceptance further led to a rapid increase in divorce rates. Freed of social stigma, even older aged people began seeking a divorce. This is proven by the inflated figures of grey divorce.

Grey Divorce

Couples aged in their 60s and 70s are increasingly freeing themselves of marital bonds. The rapid increase in the divorces of thus aged couples has led to the coining of a new term called ‘grey divorce.’ Increased life expectancy has made people opt for qualitative living. Divorcing even after crossing their 60s is not surprising for they still have many more productive years left. Having grown up children they no longer worry about the negative consequences of divorce on their offspring. Increasing grey divorce figures are also greatly contributing to the inflated divorce figures.

Inflated divorce rates indirectly depict the growth of individualism.

Rise of Individuality

Individuality is the term used to denote the growing independence of people due to their changed social, political and economic outlook. The increased employment potential due to industrialisation has capacitated people to protect self against spousal exploitation. They no longer want to depend on erring spouses. Enhanced job potential has empowered both the men and women in society.

Women Empowerment

As mentioned, industrial revolution rapidly increased the number of available jobs. Multitudes of women sought recruitment. Economically independent women do not need spousal financial support for existence. High employment potential created self reliant and liberated women who value equality in a relationship. Almost 75% of the women divorce petitioners are qualified job holders. They share the financial burden of the family and expect their spouses to help them out with chores of domesticity. Non availability of help transforms their day into a mere schedule of hectic activity. Intense work pressure effectively robs them of happiness and leaves them with little time for intimacy.

Marked Reduction in Intimacy

Reduction in intimate behaviour spills its effect to other spheres of marital life. Couples who are not intimate have reduced communication levels. Lack of communication and intimacy is solely responsible for marital boredom. Boredom being hard to endure is quickly terminated by a divorce.

Cyclical Effect of Divorce

Children from divorced families tend to marry early. Early marriages especially teen marriages have a markedly high failure rate. Divorce begets divorce. Other minor factors that randomly leave their mark on divorce rates are the changing employment rates. Low employment levels lead to hardships on all fronts. Financial pressures burden marital lives that ultimately lead to its termination.

Every society around the globe is witnessing a change in the social and financial scenario. This change has led to the development of individualism and has given rise to concepts of gender equality. Non acceptance of the change leads to conflict development and its subsequent escalation. Dissolution of the marital union is the ultimate result.

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