Divorce
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Over many years the divorce rate has increased dramatically due to many factors as such as laws, which have been introduced.
The graph above shows the rate of divorce over numerous years, and as you can see there is a very large increases in divorce petitions. The largest increase being when the Divorce Reform Act was introduced in 1969 and it taking effect in 1971,increasing the divorce rate by a staggering 300%!
Even though new laws are responsible for the increase of divorce rates there are also other factors, which affect it such as:
v Changes in the population
v Changes in attitude to divorce
v Religious attitude towards divorce
v Changes in the woman's role
v Changes in the law
Changes in the population
Longer life span: people are living longer so are more likely to divorce
Introduction of contraception: women now have got contraception unlike in the past, they can choose when they want to have a baby. Whereas in the past once the woman had a child it is unlikely that she would leave because she would not be able to support herself and her child.
Changes in attitude to divorce
Nowadays people accept divorce as part of life whereas 50years ago people would not accept divorce and people involved were often social outcasts.
Religious attitude towards divorce
It is only until recent years that churches have allowed divorced people to re-marry in church, some still won't. The Church of England would not marry a divorced person until 1966. Italy (roman catholic) did not allow divorce by law until 1970.
Changes in the woman's role
I personally think that increased divorce is due to the change of the status of women...