Speculation About Divorce
However, not everyone sees the current divorce rate as an issue. In fact, it is often speculated that the stability of marriage is on the rise in the West. Like many others, Heaton (2002) believes that Western divorce rates are declining and marriage quality is increasing (p. 392). Heaton further explains that the recent plateau in divorce rates is directly related to increased education and a greater age at which the current generation is marrying (p. 400-401). It is true that today’s generation is considerably more educated and waiting longer to marry. The numbers do not lie. However, not enough evidence supports this claim. It is difficult to link the correlation between Heaton’s argument and possible marriage stability, and not enough research on the subject is available. Nevertheless, the increase in education and marriage age will not alone be enough to steer the Western culture back on track.