© Shutterstock

Removing the stigma -

It's hard to believe it, but it's actually not that long ago that divorce was illegal. In the meantime, broader societal opinion has shifted significantly. But how did we get here?

© Shutterstock

Divorce becomes normalized -

In 1969, the then Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, signed the US's first no-fault divorce bill into law. It took away the requirement to prove wrongdoing in order to file for a divorce. At the same time in the UK, the Divorce Reform Act was passed, also removing the need to prove "fault."

© Shutterstock

Divorce becomes normalized -

In the decade and a half that followed, most states followed the lead of California, introducing no-fault divorce bills of their own.

© Shutterstock

Religion, the state, and marriage -

Up until the 1960s in the US, people were more likely to look at marriage as a duty and obligation, something that required sacrifice. 

© Shutterstock

1960s and marriage -

No-fault divorce removed the legal power of marriage to bind husband and wife together, allowing unilateral divorce—where just one spouse could request the marriage be dissolved—for no reason at all.

© Shutterstock

1960s and divorce -

From 1960 to 1980, the divorce rate more than doubled, going from 9.2 divorces per 1,000 married women to 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married women.

© Shutterstock

Free love and the hippie movement -

In the 1970s, spouses found it easier to find partners outside of marriage, while women's employment levels were increasing and feminist consciousness was rising.

© Shutterstock

Free love and the hippie movement -

The churches began to lose their footing as moral authorities, who had previously reinforced the idea of the marriage vow.

© Shutterstock

The suburban family -

Prior to the '60s and '70s, a decent job, white-picket-fence home, and several children constituted the ideal suburban life. 

© Shutterstock

The 'soul mate' situation -

The psychological revolution of the '70s had given way to a new version of marriage, based on subjective happiness: the soul-mate marriage.

© Shutterstock

Individualism -

Rising individualism and the soul-mate model meant dissolving a marriage was seen as a chance to make oneself over, from the inside out.

© Shutterstock

Divorce rates -

In the early 1970s, 70% of married men and 67% of married women reported being very happy in their marriages. By the early '80s, these figures had fallen to 63% for men and 62% for women.

© Shutterstock

Divorce rates -

As divorce rates climbed to record highs, the reported levels of marital quality dropped. After reaching their peak in the '80's, divorce rates have steadily reduced since.

© Shutterstock

Family and children -

In the older, institutional model of marriage, parents were supposed to stick together "for the sake of the children."

© Shutterstock

Family and children -

However, by the end of the 1970s, it was more widely believed that children would be happier if their parents were able to leave unhappy marriages.

© Shutterstock

Family and children -

In the meantime, research has shown that in cases where children are exposed to high levels of conflict, they seem to do better later in life if their parents part.

© Shutterstock

Effect of divorce on adults -

As divorce became more normal, studies became available about its effects on adults too. Around 20% of divorced adults find their lives enhanced and another 50% seem to suffer no long-term ill effects.

© Shutterstock

Effect of divorce on adults -

The adults who initiated a divorce are especially likely to report that they are doing well afterward, or at least fine. 

© Shutterstock

Effect on marriage -

Perhaps one of the biggest changes divorce has had societally is on our concept of marriage itself. In fact, marriage rates have fallen, while cohabitation has become the norm. 

© Shutterstock

Effect on marriage -

Perhaps some of the popularity of cohabitation lies in a fear of divorce, as people seek a longer time to get to know a partner before they consider marriage.

© Shutterstock

Empowerment -

A slight majority of Americans believe unhappy couples tend to stay married for too long, rather than get divorced too quickly. Divorce is now viewed as an empowered choice.

© Shutterstock

Empowerment -

As children and intimacy can be had outside of marriage, the pressure to uphold the institution of marriage has been loosened, and people can more easily direct life on their own terms.

© Shutterstock

Celebrity divorce -

In the past decades, celebrity divorces have been a common part of popular culture, helping to normalize divorce even further.

© Getty Images

Repurposing the ring -

Repurposing engagement rings has also become more common, as people seek to transform the meaning of their jewelry upon divorcing. 

© Shutterstock

Events -

There's also been a rise in a whole new phenomenon: divorce parties. Company Evite saw a record number of divorce-related invitations in 2023, up 22% since 2019.

© Shutterstock

Divorce registry -

Divorce registries have also emerged, as the splitting of assets and the need for new household items emerges, as people look to their network for support.

© Shutterstock

Divorce party -

Some US nightclubs have reported a rise in the number of divorce parties taking place, while the hashtag #divorceparty has nearly 70,000 hits on Instagram.

© Shutterstock

Staying single -

It also reflects a wider societal trend: more and more people are staying single, whether by choice or circumstance. Divorce is viewed as less important through a modern lens.

© Shutterstock

A new chapter -

Regardless of the reasons, social acceptance of divorce is at a record high, as people begin to write a new story: even if it differs from the one they originally planned! 

Sources: (CNN) (National Affair) (The Guardian) (Axios)

© Shutterstock