Divorce

Divorce has changed historically and the impact of family since the 1800s. There have been three eras of divorce in modern Western nations. During the era of restricted divorce, which lasted until the middle of the nineteenth century, divorce was very difficult to obtain. Couples had to prove there was some kind of wrongdoing like adultery and it was usually only granted to men. The era of divorce tolerance made it more accessible to women. The era of unrestricted divorce began in 1970 and granted couples a divorce without restriction. The no-fault divorce “granted couples to divorce simply on the basis of marriage breakdown due to irreconcilable differences” (Cherlin, 409).
Divorce rates increased substantially in the 1960s and 1970s. “… About half of all American marriage begun since the late 1970s will end in divorce” (Cherlin, 402). The increase in divorce has increased the number of children who experience the breakup of their parents’ marriages. “40% of American children who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s are affected by divorce” (Cherlin, 402).
      Divorce is an ongoing issue in our society. Divorce is such an accepted part of our culture today that single-parent families are part of the new family structure.   There are many factors that contribute to divorce such as abuse, different goals, conflicting parenting styles, addictions, etc. However, our society doesn’t realize what we’ve done. Ahrons says, “there is no stigma on divorce today. It’s normal for couples to end their marriage” (Why the Popular View of Divorce is Wrong, pg.) With the high vulnerability that married couples face a divorce, there are many organizations that exist around the world to put efforts to decrease divorce and cohabitation rates and increase successful marriages. Two specific organizations have done so successfully, Marriage Savers and Retrouvaille.
      Marriage Savers and Retrouvaille are two organizations that really want to see change in marriage and divorce....