Assess the claim that the increase in divorce over the past 50 years is due to changes in legislation

The first 200 words of this essay...

Assess the claim that the increase in divorce over the last 50 years has been due to changes in Legislation

An example of changes in divorce legislation is the 1969 divorce reform act. This made divorce easier by allowing divorce after a 2-year separation if both people consented to it, and after 5 years it would be granted if only one person wanted it. It also allowed divorcing to occur on the grounds of irreparable marriage breakdown, unreasonable behaviour or adultery. Divorce being made easier would lead to increase, which in turn would lead to the gradual breakdown of the Nuclear family, which according to Murdock is the structure to our modern day society. In 1984 Matrimonial and Family proceedings act was passed allowing couples to divorce after only 12 months of marriage instead of 3, this making marriage seem easier to get out of than ever before. Because of this some people were marrying just to con people out of money by divorcing after 12 months. The media have a certain influence is this type of marriage from celebrities, which makes it seem more appealing to people leading to an increase in divorce rates.

Other such legislation