Percentage and Causes of Divorce in the US - Research Paper Example

Currently, men and women are in equal standing when it comes to employment and other social needs. It has become possible for women to live independently of a man, be it husband, father, or breadwinner. This is one of the reasons that rates of divorce have increased in America. An Associated Press article states that America’s divorce rate began climbing in the late 1960s and skyrocketed during the ’70s and early ’80s, as virtually every state adopted no-fault divorce laws. The rate peaked at 5.

3 divorces per 1,000 people in 1981. This has now come down to 3.6/1000 in 2007. According to www.divorcerate.org, 50% of all American marriages end in divorce and people who marry between the ages of 20 and 24 years show the highest divorce percentages. Apart from this, people who marry for a second and a third time also show divorce rates of 67% and 74% respectively. It is certain that the cause of divorce varies from couple to couple, yet the lack of communication, money, and children, are among the most common causes of divorce.

Lack of communication, in a matter however trivial, in a marital relationship, results in people being unable to solve problems that may occur in the marriage. Added to this is the resentment that arises when one spouse makes more money or makes financial decisions that are not approved by the other. While being childless results in divorce in 66% of cases, having children is again not a big help. Children need a lot of nurture and love and while they have the ability to bring their parents together, the lack of time and difference in priorities can lead to jealousy and more problems.

Other causes of divorce include infidelity, failed expectations, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, etc. While everyone marries for happiness and not for divorce, people do tend to take marriage for granted these days. Love vanishes in the face of responsibility. People should learn to make the love that they have for their spouse last. Children are entitled to a happy childhood and both their parents and parents should remember this while feeling resentment or self-pity over everyday problems.