DivorceDid you know that 100 divorces occur every hour? Approximately 1,250,000 divorces occur each year in the United States (Matthews). Between 1970 and 1977, divorce rates increased by 79%. Even though these high rates have decreased, a high proportion of marriages still end in divorce (Avins). The divorce rate today in the United States is 44%, the divorce rate for people marrying for the first time is close to 30% (Avins) (Model 1). Divorce has been on a steady rise in recent years in American history, causing a handful of effects on children. Marriage is traditionally defined as a social institution uniting men and women in particular forms of mutual dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining families (Poloméno). At age 16, with parental consent, the majority of states will allow marriage. Couples who marry between ages 14 and 17 are twice as likely to divorce as couples who wait until their 20s (Kecskes). Today, the average age of first marriage is 27 for women and 29 for men, but less than 8% of women and 13% of men married for the first time by the age of 30 years or more (Avins) (model 1A). Couples who marry at the age of 18, 19 and 20 tend to be blindsided by many problems that arise during marriage, such as unemployment, abuse, unexpected pregnancies, in-laws, affairs and many others (Kecskes.) Young people's marriages are more frequent. risk factor for divorce instead of couples waiting until they are older due to low income, poverty and cohabitation before marriage. About two-thirds of couples getting married today are already living together and are known to be less committed to marriage (Koontz). A common mistake in young marriages is lack of preparation for a life...... middle of paper.... ....hey, we were young (Avins). Additionally, as children grow older, they come to feel less affection for their parents, have less contact with them, and participate in fewer family activities (Matthews). Specific long-term emotional effects include fear of betrayal, abandonment, loss, and rejection. Increasing anxiety could last into your teens and early 20s. Lifelong vulnerability to the experience of loss. Anger, resentment and hostility and many other symptoms can occur (Matthews). Reduced ability to develop and maintain supportive friendships and romantic relationships are some of the key aspects of the long-term social effects of divorce. (Matthews). Divorce has seen a steady increase in recent years in American history, causing a handful of effects on children. Although rates are not as high as they used to be, they are very high for what they should be..