The number of divorces in America has been steadily declining since 1980, dropping from 3.2 million in 1980 to just under 2 million in 2016. But while those numbers are down, the divorce rate is actually up slightly from 2011 to 2012. Why is this happening? Well, there are several factors that contribute to divorce, including economic stressors like unemployment and housing costs. In addition, the divorce rate tends to go up during times of war and conflict. And finally, some experts believe that the rise in online dating apps and social media platforms is contributing to increased breakups.
Divorce Is More AcceptableIn the 1960s, there was a lot of talk about how divorce was becoming less taboo. People talked about how divorce rates had gone up. They talked about how people were getting divorced earlier in life. And they talked about how divorce was becoming easier to obtain. But what many people didn't realize is that divorce was never really considered a socially acceptable option. There was always a stigma attached to it.
People who got divorced were often shunned by family members and friends. Sometimes the person who filed for divorce was treated like a pariah. This meant that even though divorce was technically legal, it wasn't something you could do without facing the consequences.
Today, things are different. Divorce is now much more common. Many people don't think twice about filing for divorce. And while it's true that divorce is still stigmatized, it's nowhere near the same level of negativity it used to be.
There are several reasons why divorce is more accepted today than ever before. For one thing, we've become a more open society. We're more willing to accept differences among individuals. So there's less pressure to conform to societal norms. Also, divorce has become much cheaper. When the divorce was illegal, it cost thousands of dollars just to file for it. Nowadays, a divorce can be done for free.
As long as a couple isn't breaking any laws, they can legally split up. If they want to go ahead with a divorce, they don't have to worry about being shamed or having their lives ruined. They simply have to find a lawyer and pay him or her some money. Then, once everything is settled out in court, they can move forward with their lives.
Women Have More OptionsIn the past, a woman had few options if she wanted to separate from her spouse. She could either remain married or live alone. If she left him, she might end up homeless or destitute. Or she could wait until he died and inherit his estate. But today, there are a number of ways to exit a marriage, even if you don't want to take half of your ex's property. You can choose to do nothing; you can go to court, or you can seek a legal separation. There are also several different types of divorce, each with varying requirements and consequences.
It Is No Longer Necessary to Prove FaultIn the early days of marriage, there were many reasons why people got divorced. For example, one spouse might be abusive, another might cheat, or both parties might just want out of the relationship. In those cases, it wasn't always easy to figure out what had gone wrong in the marriage.
Today, things are different. People rarely get divorced because of abuse or infidelity anymore. Instead, most couples simply decide that they're better off apart. This change happened gradually over the course of several decades. But today, we live in an era where even the smallest changes can cause major shifts in how our society functions.
For example, in the 1960s, almost every state allowed couples to obtain a divorce without proving anything about their partners' behavior. As recently as 1980, 17 states didn't require proof of wrongdoing. By 2000, though, all 50 states had changed their laws to allow no-fault divorce. These days, no-fault divorce is legal in all 50 states.
Self-Help and the Internet Make Divorce EasierMany people are opting to divorce themselves instead of hiring lawyers. They can do it online and save money. But there are some things you should know about self-help divorce.
The most important thing to remember is that while self-help tools can make divorce easier, they don't replace legal advice. If you decide to go down this path, you still need to understand what your state requires. You must fill out forms correctly and keep copies of those documents. And you cannot just sign anything; you must review everything carefully.
If you want to avoid expensive mistakes, you might consider hiring a lawyer to represent you during the divorce process. A good attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, will explain the law and answer questions about your case and also protect your interests throughout the proceedings. Contact us today at Thorntonesquirelawgroup for a free consultation.
Unrealistic Marital ExpectationsThe number of couples getting divorced continues to rise. In 2016, there were about 2 million divorces filed in the United States, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. This number represents a 32% increase since 2000.
There are many reasons why people decide to file for divorce, including infidelity, abuse, addiction, mental health issues, and even death. But one reason that often gets overlooked is unrealistic marital expectations.
Many people place high expectations a married person can never live up to, such as being perfect parents, having no money troubles, and always making sure everyone else is happy. Couples who do not understand each other well enough to know how different personalities work together are also at risk of failing at marriage because they don't realize how much they need each other.
When reality fails to meet expectations, this can lead spouses to become dissatisfied with their relationships and file for divorce. However, if a couple has a realistic understanding of their relationship and marriage, divorce is less likely because they know what they are getting into.