[DirectorTsaarx]

Originally posted by Krsqk:
Frankly, the easy availability of no-fault divorce ("Divorce! $99, 2 days") has contributed to the failure of marriages. When divorce was unavailable or socially unacceptable, 1) Couples were more careful about who they married, and 2) There was much more incentive to "make it work" once in marriage. Both partners had to continuously choose to love each other, since divorce just wasn't an option.

First, "no-fault divorce" doesn't necessarily mean $99 and 2 days. In some states, it means divorce can be granted after 6 months of separation instead of a full year, and still requires lawyers and court dates. And, obviously, at least an order of magnitude more money (more like $1000 - $5000, not $99). And I don't think couples were THAT much more careful about who they married, but I do agree that couples were more likely to stay together when there was greater social stigma against divorce. Just as most homosexuals stayed "in the closet" when there was greater social stigma against homosexuality. (of course, there's still quite a bit of social stigma associated with homosexuality, even if companies like Lockheed Martin are allowing employees to cover "life partners" on company-supported health insurance policies). None of that means people were any happier in the "good old days" when divorce was bad, teenage pregnancies were hidden, alternate lifestyles were even more hidden, and hate Groups were more active than they are today...