Divorce Rate Hits 37-Year Low

But America's marriages may not be more stable
By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff
Posted May 11, 2007 7:00 AM CDT
Divorce Rate Hits 37-Year Low
Wedding   (Associated Press)

America's divorce rate has been dropping steadily for decades; this year breakups reached their lowest level since 1970. But that doesn't mean todays' relationships are more stable: More couples are living together without tying the knot. Divorces are down by a third since their peak in 1981, but marriages themselves are also down 30%.

Experts are split in interpreting the results. A conservative think-tanker guesses young couples "are coming out of the family upheaval of the '70s, and cohabiting out of fear." But a New Hampshire counselor is more optimistic: "People don't see marriage problems as some sort of stigma anymore.They're really interested in learning how to stay married." (More marriage stories.)

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