6 Generations of American attitudes toward divorce

Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Americans and Divorce…

Early 20th Century (1900-1930s):

At the dawn of the 20th century, divorce in the United States was a fate to be generally avoided. Familes were important, perhaps even sacred.

Divorce at this time was generally stigmatized, and considered morally wrong.

Religious and societal norms emphasized the importance of maintaining marriage, often viewing divorce as a failure of personal character and a fundamental threat to the social fabric.

In a study published in 2013 by Claire Kamp Dush found that attitudes toward divorce have evolved significantly since the early 20th century.

Her study compared responses to divorce-related questions in different historical periods, showing a marked decline in negative attitudes toward divorce over the years.

The Greatest Generation

• Also widely called the “Greatest Generation,” These are the Humans Born from 1901-1926.

They’re called the Greatest Generation because they experienced World War I, then the Great Depression, and then, WWII. Geez.. that’s a sh*tload of external stressors.

One of the defining characteristics of this generation is a powerful sense of duty, civic responsibility, and knowledge of the difference between right and wrong.

This clear cut, black-and-white sense of the world extends to how the first generation of the 20th century regarded divorce.

The Greatest Generation takes the “til death do us part” wedding vows heart attack serious

Marriage is not taken lightly, and you stick it out for better or worse has teeth for this cohort.

Infidelity, divorce, or having children out of wedlock for this generation, are morally unacceptable. Divorce, for the Greatest generation is a stigma of obvious failure.

Because of these dominant cultural and societal attitudes, fewer people from this generation group deviate from these values.

Mid-20th Century (1940s-1960s):

During the mid-20th century, divorce rates began to tick ever upward.

This was due to profound social changes brought on by various factors such as changes in social norms, economic shifts, and the increasing acceptance of rugged American narcissism, I mean individualism… LOL.

Despite this increase in divorce rates, divorce was still met with a considerable amount of social disapproval.

A study by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher, published in 2000, called "The Case for Marriage," considered the evolution of American attitudes toward divorce in the mid-20th century.

It showed that while American divorce rates were rising, the public opinion was still somewhat negative toward the idea divorce, with several stubborn thought leaders even going as far as claiming it was harmful to children and society.

Late 20th Century (1970s-1990s):

The late 20th century saw a significant shift in attitudes toward divorce. In other words, The Boomers left their miserable mark…

The introduction of no-fault divorce laws in the 1970s made it easier for couples to obtain divorces without having to prove fault or wrongdoing.

This massive legal and cultural shift, along with increasing gender equality and evolving social attitudes, contributed to greater acceptance of divorce, and a sh*tshow in family law that festers to this very day.

According to research conducted by sociologists Paul Amato and Alan Booth, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family in 1997, attitudes toward divorce had become more accepting and permissive by the end of the 20th century.

The study observed that divorce was increasingly seen as a viable option for couples in unhappy or conflicted marriages.

Turn of the Millennium (2000s):

By the turn of the millennium, divorce had become a relatively common life event, with a more neutral or accepting attitude prevailing in American culture.

While pockets of disapproval persisted, there was a growing empathetic awareness for the complexities of modern family life, divorce and the relative importance of individual happiness.

A study conducted by sociologist Christie F. Boxer, published in the Journal of Family Issues in 2007, examined attitudes toward divorce among college students. The findings suggested that younger generations were more accepting of divorce, viewing it as a valid course of action for ending an unhappy relationship.

Early 21st Century (2010s):

In the early 21st century, attitudes toward divorce continued to evolve, with a continuing focus on individual growth and happiness within the marital bond.

Divorce was increasingly seen as a means of ending an unhappy or unfulfilling union, rather than a moral failing.

Here’s a peak around the bend of where American culture is headed. Research conducted by psychologists Jean M. Twenge and Heejung Park, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science in 2017, revealed that younger generations held more permissive attitudes toward divorce compared to older generations. This finding suggested a continuous forbearance of divorce in American culture.

Further along into the 21st Century (2020s up to the present…):

Attitudes toward divorce continued to be more relaxed and accepting than in any previous generations. Americans are still into serial marriage and serial divorce, but the institution itself has become an emblem of privilege. More on that in an upcoming post.

Divorce nowadays is socially deemed a personal choice, and a reasonable option for humans in unhappy marriages.

It is more than likely that American attitudes toward divorce will continue to evolve toward increasing accepting as social norms and American cultural values continue to evolve, relax, and atomize.

Look, one size does not fit all. And our liberality is not without consequence.

Obviously, attitudes toward divorce can vary significantly based on individual beliefs, cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations, and other considerations.

But it’s interesting to see how we have shifted over time in our values from the “Greatest Generation”, isn’t it?”

Be well, stay kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Amato, P. R. (2000). The Consequences of Divorce for Adults and Children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 1269–1287. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1566735

Boxer, Christie & Noonan, Mary & Whelan, Christine. (2013). Measuring Mate Preferences: A Replication and Extension. Journal of Family Issues. 36. 163-187. 10.1177/0192513X13490404.