Why has the rate of divorce increased since 1969

Changes in law (legislation)

• 1937 divorce on grounds of desertion or cruelty- before 1937 only grounds were adultery
• 1921 3000 divorces per year

1969 DIVORCE ACT (came into use in 1971)

Divorce available for

• unreasonable behaviour
• adultery
• desertion
• seperation (2 yrs agreed, 6 yrs qithout consent)
  • was made easier
  • 1961 27,000 per year
  • 1984 act, decreases to 1yr (from 3yrs) to file a petition for divorce

Decline in stigma

Stigma= negative label

• Divorce is now more socially accpetable, leads to more people divorcing
• Divorce…