Divorce Rates

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The rate of divorce in the U.S., per capita per year, is an astounding 40%. An excerpt from the Census Bureau report states that "The National Center for Health Statistics recently released a report which found that 43% of first marriages end in separation or divorce within 15 years. For men under age 45, it is predicted that first marriages will end in divorce and up to 52% for women in the same age group. After age 60, the percent rate of divorce for men drops to 36% and 32% for women. " In 1880, according to the historian Robert L. Griswold, one marriage in 21-fewer than 5 percent-ended in divorce." So why has the divorce rate risen in the last century? Divorces used to be difficult to obtain without good reason, including adultery, abuse, and abandonment. In the mid-1960s, the divorce rate begin to rise dramatically," fueled by ever-higher marital expectations, a vast expansion of wives moving into the work force, the rebirth of feminism, and the adoption of 'no fault' divorce." The adoption of the 'no fault' divorce is contributed with being a major factor in the rise of divorce rates. "No-fault divorce caused already-climbing divorce rates to jump further." Not all of the divorces are contributed by this 'no-fault' but a significant portion can. This website contain links to studies that suggest that there is a cause/effect relationship between making divorces easier, such as 'no-fault', and the rise in divorce rates. Divorce Reform
U. Okla Study Shows No-fault Law is what Increased Divorce
Statistics on divorce rates and litigation before the no-fault revolution
'No-fault' has made it easier for people to get divorces now.
In Europe, Italy has the lowest divorce rate. The 3-yr. waiting period is credited for the low rates. This is a link detailing the divorce rates in other countries in comparison to the U.S. Non-U.S. Divorce Rates

Some correlating factors as to why divorce rates are rising include:
Age, Religion, Occupation, Region, Race
This article was provided by Americans for Divorce Reform in their attempt change the 'no-fault' policy, thereby decreasing the percent of divorce rates.