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Faust76 · 46-50, M
Second marriages fail at even ridiculously higher rate than first marriages. On face of it, this fact seems to discount the oft cited "They hadn't learned about themselves yet" or even "All people change" at least as primary reasons.
I think the most evidence supported answer is "because they can"; in fact divorces only became a commonplace, one might say epidemic, after the passing of the no-fault divorce law. I'll hasten to add it's clearly a GOOD thing that people who don't get along don't have to. Of course, the development of the institution of marriage itself is an interesting subject worthy of a book or two in itself; originally a business contract, for example in the European Middle Ages the church publicly allowed men to have a wife for marital duties and romantic partner (So-called "Courtly love") on the side.
An oft cited explanation which I think is somewhat compelling is the "Disneyification" of marriage, where people hold simply unreasonably high expectations. This also leads to disproportionate number of marriages out of desperation or belief in fate. For example, the concept of "soulmate" really only started to be used in 80's.
I think the most evidence supported answer is "because they can"; in fact divorces only became a commonplace, one might say epidemic, after the passing of the no-fault divorce law. I'll hasten to add it's clearly a GOOD thing that people who don't get along don't have to. Of course, the development of the institution of marriage itself is an interesting subject worthy of a book or two in itself; originally a business contract, for example in the European Middle Ages the church publicly allowed men to have a wife for marital duties and romantic partner (So-called "Courtly love") on the side.
An oft cited explanation which I think is somewhat compelling is the "Disneyification" of marriage, where people hold simply unreasonably high expectations. This also leads to disproportionate number of marriages out of desperation or belief in fate. For example, the concept of "soulmate" really only started to be used in 80's.