Relationship

Most people think that half of the marriages will end in divorce. For the past 40 years, the statistic has generally been correct, but the whole story is much more complex. Divorce rates have increased over time, and they may do so again for reasons related to changes in society and the law.

Divorce was a relatively infrequent and challenging process before 1970. Usually, one of the spouses had to have been at fault—they had to have committed a crime or a sin that made the divorce appropriate. The marriage had to be ended due to adultery, abandonment, cruelty, alcoholism, or another circumstance.

In several states, no-fault divorce became an option in the 1950s. Couples were no longer required to establish the guilt of one partner. Simply put, they might state that the marriage was over. Nearly all states had no-fault divorce laws by 1970.

Traditionally, there had to be a long separation before the divorce. A number of states also implemented legislation that significantly cut the amount of time spent apart, facilitating divorce more quickly.