Secularisation: A decline in religion means that people do not stay in a marriage for religious reasons.
High expectations of marriage: People find the reality of marriage disappointing as they are now marrying for love and not other reasons such as financial security. This means they are willing to get divorced in order to find love somewhere else.
Reduced stigma: Stigma refers to a negative label/social disapproval. As divorce is more popular people in society are not as shocked by it and therefore are less likely to judge somebody because of it.
Legal Changes: Legal changes such as the Divorce Reform Act which came into effect in 1971 mean that divorce is cheaper and easier to access so people aren't staying in loveless marriages because they cannot afford to leave it. This act also made it so divorce could not only come about if someone in the marriage had committed a matrimonial offense. Divorce became available if the couple did not love each other anymore, this is know irretrievable breakdown.
Feminism: As women become increasingly independent they do not feel they need marriage to support them financially or emotionally.
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