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Attitudes toward divorce are changing. Why?

On Behalf of | Mar 25, 2016 | Divorce

Family law has changed rapidly in the U.S. in the past few years. As more and more states legalized same-sex marriage, a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ended bans in the rest of the states.

It appears that this change is supported by a growing share of the general public, when just a few years ago, same-sex relationships were viewed by most heterosexuals as wrong. A government survey shows this remarkable evolution in thought, but also reveals that at the same time, attitudes toward divorce have become more conservative in this country.

The National Center for Health Statistics recently revealed the results of its massive survey, which involved in-person interviews with 10,000 people aged 15 to 44. The agency asked the subjects their opinions about various household arrangements, including same-sex relationships, single parenthood and cohabiting before marriage.

In general, solid majorities of men and women said they did not object to these so-called “non-traditional” families. But when asked about marriage, the trend toward tolerance seemed to reverse itself. Just 38 percent of women and 39 percent of men said they agreed that divorce is the best solution when a marriage is “on the rocks,” according to NBC News. A decade before, 47 percent of women and 44 percent of men agreed.

What would cause people to suddenly begin looking down on divorce after decades of mainstream acceptance? A family and marriage expert at Bowling Green University believes that it is because American attitude toward marriage has changed too. People are less likely to get married, and those who do marry tend to wait longer. So today’s married people are more determined to make the relationship work, she said.

Despite what some people might believe, the ability to end your marriage is a vital right for all married people in Ohio. If you are considering divorce, a conversation with a divorce attorney can help you focus on your goals and priorities.

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