Divorce.

Divorce refers to the dissolution of a marriage, usually through a jurisdiction’s civil court system, although major religious traditions also prescribe procedures for divorce under religious law. The legal tradition and history of divorce dates back to ancient times and varies greatly by place and by era. Cultural and social influences shape how divorce is both practiced and regarded. Divorce also raises moral, gender, financial, and child-rearing issues. Divorce rates have fluctuated throughout modern history; in many Western countries during the second half of the twentieth century, high divorce rates occasionally triggered concern from observers worried about the long-term future of the institution of marriage. By the twenty-first century, divorce rates had begun declining in many Western countries as people cohabitated more often, approached marriage more thoughtfully, married later in life, and married for love as opposed to other obligations.