Groucho Marx once said “Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.”  But choosing not to get married doesn’t mean you won’t ever go through a painful breakup, it does mean that you won’t have to get a divorce if it happens.

Divorce rates are decreasing because marriage rates are decreasing. Many couples decide to live together before getting married. And many couples are choosing to live together in long-term relationships rather than get married. Many have children without getting married, or do get married once they have children.

Women don’t feel the need to get married for financial security that they did years ago. Today’s women are educated and independent. Marriage becomes a choice rather than a necessity.

Like the changes in getting married and like every aspect our our culture, the stigma of divorce has changed.