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Divorce Rate In The 20th Century

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On legal terms, it was still difficult for a couple to obtain a divorce. During the 1950s most state laws recognized one or more “no-fault” grounds for filing a divorce, such as an insanity or incompatibility (Clarke-Stewart and Brentano 8). However, most courts interpreted these “no-fault” grounds very strictly. In addition, most divorces cases wouldn’t even be considered a hearing, which resulted in divorce trials trying to pass through complex and outdated law procedures. Divorce procedures during the 19th and late 20th century were very different when compared to our present divorce procedures, therefore mentioning its history is important because it portrays a realistic picture of our past culture. This past culture within the United …show more content…

According to authors Clarke-Stewart and Brentano, “This all changed in the 1960s. The roaring social changes of the period reanimates stagnant divorce reforms and triggered a sharp increase in the divorce rate” (Clarke-Stewart and Brentano 10). Essentially, economic circumstances in the United States improved, which allows for individuals to live apart and independently. Normally, when there are greater working opportunities, there are higher rates for divorce due to the availability of being able to maintain yourself with a job after the divorce. Due to greater economic circumstances, women became more independent from men, enabling themselves to take on jobs outside the family household. During the 1960s the Women’s movement began to build progress, giving women higher status. Women were encouraged to be more confident and independent within their working and living environments. As a result, divorce rates increased, because “when women no longer depend on men for status and income, they are less likely to stay in unsatisfying marriages” (Clarke-Stewart and Brentano 10). This movement is just one cause that affected societal change. During the era, everything in the United States was being questioned, from personal values, to marriage and even other institutions. When you come down to it, that was part of the culture back in the day, which again demonstrates cultural influence on divorce

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