Modern society is undergoing dynamic transformations that affect the very foundation of our relationships.

Evolving Foundations: The Transformation of Family and Marriage

Modern society is undergoing dynamic transformations that affect the very foundation of our relationships. In recent years, we have witnessed large-scale changes in moral attitudes prior to marriage, where traditional models are giving way to more flexible norms. Former expectations are being replaced by a new understanding of freedom and choice, which in turn creates conditions for conflicts that often end in divorce.

In this context, we see how the rise in ethical standards contributes to a reevaluation of marital commitments, especially when women, gaining economic independence, decide not to accept unrealistic expectations. This is not so much an indication of the collapse of traditional relationships as it is a conscious effort to establish a higher quality partnership where compromise and respect come first. Today, the modern family frequently serves as a testing ground: common-law cohabitation and the abandonment of long-term commitments become the norm in circumstances where conflict is often viewed as a reason to break up relationships.

In addition to these processes, factors related to external influences—from intergenerational disagreements to social characteristics such as alcohol consumption habits—play an important role in the instability of the family institution. All of this points to a deep structural restructuring: in many cases, the number of divorces already exceeds that of official marriages, indicating the complex and multilayered nature of problems in modern family relationships.

In summary, the current challenges to the institution of marriage should not be viewed as entirely negative. They represent a kind of rethinking of core values which, despite painful moments, may lead to greater honesty and sincerity in relationships. Today, society stands on the threshold of a new phase, where every participant in family life is rejecting old dogmas and boldly opening the door to changes and opportunities for personal growth.

What factors contribute to the rise in the number of divorces in today’s world?

Answer:

The factors contributing to the rising number of divorces in our age are multifaceted and touch on both the socio-cultural and psychological dimensions of relationships. Based on analyzed data, several key directions can be highlighted:

1. One factor is related to changes in moral attitudes and pre-marriage behavior. For instance, some sources point out that premarital sexual relationships create conditions for extramarital affairs and infidelity, which often lead to divorce. For example, one material notes:
"Premarital sexual relations in many cases provide a 'fertile ground' for extramarital affairs, for breaking marital fidelity. This leads to a significant number of divorces either because the new partner turns out to be more interesting than the old, registered one, or because the aggrieved party accuses the spouse of adultery..." (source: link txt).

2. Another aspect is the increasing ethical requirements for marriage, wherein women, gaining economic independence, are unafraid to end an unsuccessful marriage. Several studies observe that as women’s self-awareness develops, there is a growing desire to end 'failed marriages', reflecting changes in societal attitudes and expectations concerning family relationships:
"Demographers and journalists who consider the rise in divorces as a sign of heightened ethical demands for marriage decisively dissolve 'failed marriages,' as women’s social awareness intensifies, they achieve economic independence, and are not afraid to leave unworthy husbands." (source: link txt).

3. The modern family is also characterized by a shift in relationship models—with the widespread prevalence of common-law relationships, reluctance to commit when conflicts arise, and a renunciation of traditional marital fidelity values. There is an ongoing transition to forms of cohabitation where, at the first sign of discord, couples prefer to separate, thereby negatively affecting the institutional stability of the family:
"The modern family is characterized by a noticeable increase in the number of divorces or failed marriages, as well as breaches of marital fidelity by spouses. The norm becomes the so-called 'civil marriage,' which is nothing more than cohabitation." (source: link txt).

4. The institutional crisis also plays its role—modern families are increasingly incapable of fulfilling their traditional functions, particularly in terms of reproduction, which indicates growing instability in the institution of marriage. Demographers report instances where the number of divorces even exceeds that of registered marriages, pointing to deep structural changes in the institution itself.
"We—demographers—understand the crisis of the family primarily as an institutional crisis, that is, the crisis of the family as a social institution... the high divorce rate." (source: link txt).

5. Intergenerational influences are also significant, as parental involvement in family affairs can lead to conflicts. An undue attachment to parents, when spouses allow external interference to damage intimate relationships, is also seen as a negative factor:
"Many things hinder the family. For example, an unreasonable attachment and love for one’s parents... Unfortunately, often the husband behaves inappropriately. Very often, parents can also be unreasonable..." (source: link txt).

6. An additional factor is the influence of social and national characteristics, where phenomena such as high alcohol consumption or specific family upbringing practices contribute to prolonged conflicts and, consequently, divorces:
"It is natural that a number of national peculiarities of family life and child-rearing can be explained by this: the more alcohol is consumed... the higher the probability of divorces." (source: link txt).

Thus, the rise in the number of divorces is due to a combination of factors—from changing attitudes and behavioral models to institutional and intergenerational crises. Modern society faces changes in traditional relationships as commitment to marital obligations decreases, while both external and internal influences undermine established models of family life.

Supporting citation(s):
"Premarital sexual relations in many cases provide a 'fertile ground' for extramarital affairs, for breaking marital fidelity. This leads to a significant number of divorces either because the new partner turns out to be more interesting than the old, registered one, or because the aggrieved party accuses the spouse of adultery..." (source: link txt)

"Demographers and journalists who see the rise in divorces as a sign of heightened ethical demands for marriage decisively dissolve 'failed marriages,' as women’s social awareness intensifies, they achieve economic independence, and are not afraid to leave unworthy husbands." (source: link txt)

"The modern family is characterized by a noticeable increase in the number of divorces or failed marriages, as well as breaches of marital fidelity by spouses. The norm becomes the so-called 'civil marriage,' which is nothing more than cohabitation." (source: link txt)

"We—demographers—understand the crisis of the family primarily as an institutional crisis, that is, the crisis of the family as a social institution... the high divorce rate." (source: link txt)

"Many things hinder the family. For example, an unreasonable attachment and love for one’s parents... Unfortunately, often the husband behaves inappropriately. Very often, parents can also be unreasonable..." (source: link txt)

"It is natural that a number of national peculiarities of family life and child-rearing can be explained by this: the more alcohol is consumed... the higher the probability of divorces." (source: link txt)