Surging Divorce Rates

Let us look at several countries to see how the popularity of divorce has led to further erosion of marriage. In the United States, according to a recent report, "the number of divorced couples quadrupled between 1970 and 1996." Roughly, 1 in 5 adults has been lashed by the destructive winds of divorce. Who are the most vulnerable to marriage failure? Statistics show that about 60 percent of all divorces occur within the first ten years.

In other countries too, divorce rates have soared. The total number of divorces in England and Wales reached 153,490 in 2004. Australians can expect about 40 percent of their marriages to end in divorce. The republic of Korea saw an increase of 21,800 divorces in just one year - from 2002-2003 - a total of 167,100 couple divorced. Japan, where 1 in every 4 marriages ends in divorce, is now approaching Europe's divorce rate. " Once upon a time it was only the very worst marriages that would end in divorce, " Observed an expert in family studies at the Japan Red Cross University. " Now it has become a simple life style issue."

In many countries long-standing religious institutions and social traditions contributed to marriage stability. However, they can no longer stop the rising tide of social acceptance of divorce. For instance, consider the Roman Catholic Church, where marriage is regarded as something sacred. In 1983 the church relaxed its rules concerning marriage bonds and made it easier for Catholics to end a marriage. Hence, annulments have increased since then.

Obviously, the threads that bind marriage are unraveling. But not all the reasons are obvious. In fact, besides the general breakdown in society, there is another major cause of the increase in failed marriages - one that is hidden from the view of the majority of mankind.

Next time: A Hidden Cause Of The Storm