How The Divorce Rate Has Changed Over The Last 150 Years
If there’s one thing nobody thinks about when tying the knot, is signing a divorce paper. It never crosses their minds with friends and family present, all smiles. But it is often the final decision any couple can take when things go awry.
It’s an inevitable choice to make when misunderstandings and other issues pierce through the surface.
The rate of divorce in the US is 50%, according to the American Psychological Association. It is even stipulated that the divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher. This is an obvious sign that marriages these days can either be fulfilling or end with a trip to a divorce attorney’s office.
Whether it’s famous couples splitting up or the average person, divorce is nothing new. It has long existed in the days of our forefathers. It is only prevalent now because news travels fast and other factors. How has the divorce rate been for the last 150 years? Let’s find out.
Divorce Rates Through The Years
According to the CDC and other statistics, the divorce rates have experienced varying changes over the years.
1867 – 1879
The romance books published during that time got it right. The freedom to choose a partner was limited and arranged marriages were the norm. In some cases, after a few meet-and-greets between families, marriage between their family members is arranged.
A lot of couples used marriage as a means to gain property rights and to climb up the social ladder. Some families who were strong allies made moves to strengthen their bond; by marrying off their children. However, it was not enough reason for them to remain married.
From 1867 alone, there were 10,000 divorce cases. And while the population and marriages grew every year, the divorce rate maintained a steady 0.3 per 1,000 Americans. By 1879, the divorce rate was at 17,000. Divorce rates before 1867 were not collated and recorded.
The 1800s
Just like in the late 1860s and 1870s, the divorce rate during the 1800s was low. For every 1,000 Americans, the divorce rate was 0.4 and rose to 0.5 in the late 1800s. According to the report, 20,000 divorces cases were recorded in the early 1880s. This number noticed a significant increase when it hit 48,000 in 1898.
The reason for this low percentage is because some couples who split didn’t legally divorce. Getting a divorce was frowned upon. As other couples were getting divorced, some of them opted for separation instead.
The 1890s
During the final years ushering the 20th Century, divorce rates rose to 0.6 for every 1,000 Americans. As the century was winding down, it made a minute leap to 0.7.
The reason for these rates isn’t farfetched. Divorce was still frowned upon, with people opting to stay separated instead of pushing for finality to their marriage. Also, the economic opportunities for women out of marriage weren’t favorable. Except if they came from wealthy and influential families.
Bottom line: women had to remain in bad marriages because it was the only way they could survive.
The 1900s
Even at the start of the 20th century, the usual belief was still peddled. Divorce was still considered a taboo. The practice continued, with people finding a way to resolve their marriages without divorce.
The divorce rate increased from 0.7 to 0.8 for every 1,000 people. The number of divorce cases recorded in 1900 was 61,000. This rate remained that way until 1907 when it increased to 0.9. The rate remained like that till the end of 1909.
The 1910s
One of the most significant events that happened during the 1910s was World War I. As the war brewed, a lot of men abandoned the workforce and enlisted into the army to serve their country. This created a void in the corporate and economic world. Women (single and married) jumped on the opportunity and entered the workforce.
This gave them higher wages, independence, and freedom more than ever before. Married women soon realized that they could do away with toxic marriages. The divorce rate was 1 for every 1,000 Americans. For the latter part of the 1920s, the figure rose to 1.4.
In 1919, the number of divorce cases was 142,000.
The 1920s
The 1910s inspired a revolution, and the 1920s birthed young women who embraced freedom and dependency. This period ushered in the first generation of truly independent American women called flappers.
These were women who embraced a lifestyle that was deemed immoral by the general public. Also, with the passage of the 19th Amendment, women were now free to vote and be voted for. Also, women’s right to birth control became a thing when Margaret Sanger distributed contraception to women.
Women who were no longer interested in being married filed for divorce. Young women also opted to stay single for a long period instead of rushing into marriage. The divorce rates spiked to 1.7 for every 1,000 persons. In 1929, the divorce cases pegged at 200,000.
The 1930s
The 30s were notable for the Great Depression, the worst economic meltdown (maybe closely followed by Coronavirus pandemic) worldwide. The stock market crashed, unemployment was rife, and deflation was massive. With an almost-dead labor market, women once again relied on men and remained in marriages.
A study on the Great Depression disclosed that “Marriages formed during tough economic times were more likely to survive compared to matches made in more prosperous time periods.”
The divorce rate in the early 30s made a downward slope from 1.7 to 1.3 for every 1,000 persons. However, in 1939, the rate grew to 1.9 with a record 251,000 cases.
The 1940s
World War II happened, and like in WWI, a lot of men enlisted once again to fight for their country. Once again, women ventured into the workforce, gaining their freedom and independence. This led to a high divorce rate of 2 per 1,000 persons.
This number grew to 3.4 in 1947 and slipped down to 2.7 in 1949. That year alone, the divorce cases were estimated at 397,000.
The 1950s
Post-WWII and the Great Depression, America began to create a structure that placed more focus on nuclear family units. This usually consisted of a breadwinner man, a domesticated wife, and their children.
Parents particularly placed emphasis on staying together and developing their kids. Albeit, most girls during this period never attended college. They were often prepared to be housewives for successful male suitors.
In 1950, the divorce rate dropped from 2.7 to 2.5 for every 1,000 persons. In the mid-fifties, the number slipped to 2.3. By 1958, the rate slipped down to 2.1 recording 368,000 divorce cases.
The 1960s
The 60s saw a significant shift in ideals and polity. A lot of women flattened the education curve by going to colleges after high schools.
The government of the day embraced more inclusiveness by involving women. As a result, more women began to seek freedom and independence from their marriages.
In 1960, the rate of divorce rose to 2.2 for every 1,000 persons. By 1965, the rate gently hit 2.5, and by 1969, it spiked at 3.2. That year alone, the divorce cases recorded were 639,000.
The 1970s
In the 70s, the hippies came out to play. The focus on nuclear love established in the 50s was quickly ditched. A lot of men and women embraced the idea of free and group love. They saw no need to remain in marriages. This was the decade that took a significant leap in divorce rates.
In 1970, the divorce rate clocked at 3.5 for every 1,000 persons. Two years later, it staggered to 4 divorces per 1,000 people. By the mid-70s, it had taken a leap to 5, and at the end of the decade, it rested at 5.3. In 1979, the divorce cases peaked at 1,193,062.
The 1980s
After a significant increase in the divorce rate of the 70s, it slowed down and eased in the 80s. The beginning of the decade saw divorce rates dropping to 5.2 for every 1,000 persons. By the mid-eighties, the divorce rate dropped to 5 per 1,000 persons.
By 1989, the rate had steadily decreased to 4.7.
The 1990s
Following the decline of divorce rates of the 80s, the 90s followed and maintained that pattern. In 1990, the divorce rate remained at 4.7 per 1,000 persons. The data for divorce rates 1995-1996 was not recorded, but it is safe to assume that the figure dropped even further.
In 1999, the divorce rate slipped to 4.1 for every 1,000 persons, recording 1,145,245 divorce cases that year alone.
The 2000s
The 20s followed the tradition from the previous years. The divorce rate was also depleted. States such as Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, California, and Minnesota have not been reporting divorce cases since the start of the century.
However, the rate of divorce reduced to 3.6 for every 1,000 Americans.
Current Divorce Stats
According to data collected by the CDC and U.S. Census Bureau:
- Women who got divorced between 2010-2011 reportedly had a household income of about $25,000 every year.
- 75% of kids whose parents filed for divorce ended up living with their mothers.
- 53% of kids whose parents got divorced were more prone to reside in a rented apartment.
According to a report prepared for the National Marriage Project:
- If you attained higher education (college), the risk of filing for divorce reduces by 13%.
- If your folks are happily married, your risk of getting divorced decreases by 14%.
- If you wait until you’re 25 or older before getting married, the risk of filing for divorce reduces by 24%.
- If you earn an annual income of $50,000 and above, the risk of getting divorced reduces by 30%.
Divorce rate by occupation
Amongst the common reasons for divorce, a profession also plays a role in determining whether one will be getting divorced. Let’s look at some of the career choices with the highest divorce rates.
Gaming Managers/Workers
Individuals who work in casinos stand the risk of being divorced. The reason is that people who work in casinos are more likely to suffer alcohol abuse, depression, cigarette abuse. These factors play a huge role in determining if they’d remain in marriages or not. Also, another reason for this could be the educational requirements for gaming staff and managers which is a high school diploma. 52.9% and 50.3% are the divorce rates for managers and staff of casinos.
Bartenders
These sets of people are more likely to be out of marriages as quickly as they tie the knot. Late parties, mingling with the opposite sex, alcohol abuse, and depression are some of the reasons their partners give when filing for divorce. The rate of divorce for people in this profession is 52.7%
Flight attendants
These people are always on the move, away from their spouses. It can often lead to both partners growing apart. Infidelity is also an issue for flight attendants and their partners. The rate of divorce is estimated to be 50.5%.
Switchboard operators/Telemarketers
People in this profession suffer long hours of endless calls each day. Most of these calls may be unpleasant. At the end of the day, these operators bring some of these work stress home and exert it on their partners. As a result, their marriages end in divorce as a result of poor communication and intimacy. The rate of divorce for people in this profession is 49.7%
Careers with fewer divorce rates
While some careers contribute to getting a divorce, here are careers with the lowest divorce rates.
Risk managers
These people make a living by collecting data and predicting risk for insurance companies. It is not surprising that they can have a fulfilling marital life. The rate of divorce for this set of people is 17%.
Scientists
The study shows that scientists have good personality traits, logical and rational. This makes them both successful at the workplace and at their homes. Their rate of divorce is 18.9%.
Clergymen
Some of the people who place emphasis on longevity in marriages are clergymen. These people find a way to make things work in their marriages. Also, they’re role models to their congregation, providing spiritual and marital advice to them. The divorce rate for these people is 19.8%.
Not all marriages end in divorce. You can have a fulfilling marital life. But if issues in your marriage cannot be resolved by working it out or therapy, it’s often for the best when you sign the divorce papers.
