September 24, 2007
Here’s a survey that should concern all of us: Americans who might have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversaries since 2000 were instead divorced, separated or widowed before reaching that milestone. The widow part one can do nothing about, but divorce and separation one can.
For the first time since at least World War II, women and men who married in the late 1970’s had a less than even chance of still being married 25 years later. The survey is from the Council on Contemporary Families.
This is sad, especially when children are involved. I know. Divorce has touched my family. The impact on kids is tremendous and many children suffer long term damage… to themselves and to their own relationships.
If marriage is treated by culture as unimportant, new generations will see it as unimportant. No society can long remain healthy with data like this. Part of the problem is there is no longer any stigma attached to divorce. Once, it was considered a moral failing, not it is just one more lifestyle choice along with co-habitation. Very sad.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
