HW4.4

"Who is to blame for America's trend toward high divorce rates, starting in the 1970s?"

THE HIGH DIVORCE RATES STARTING IN THE 1970s ARE THE RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF RICH MIDDLE-AGED MEN AND FEMINISTS WHO FOUGHT FOR NO-FAULT DIVORCE.

Rich middle-aged men who desired younger women were partly to blame. Caught up in "Jennifer Fever", many like Eugene McCathy and Wayne Hays in 1970s divorced their wives of many years and attracted younger women with their wealth. According to Wolfe, it became "normal behavior", and divorce rates rose rapidly.

The "me" attitude of wealthy, middle-aged men partly contributed to high divorce rates. Instead of being dutiful dads and husbands, many men said, "I've got only one life, let me live it as a..." According to Wolfe, wealthy middle-aged men "took [their] money and ran", contributing to high divorce rates.

Feminists who fought for no-fault divorce were partly responsible. Feminist groups like the National Organization for Women beginning in 1960s, pushed for no-fault divorce. But no-fault divorce became a "remarkable gift" to men. As getting divorces became easy and inexpensive, it contributed to more than 1.1 million divorces in 1979.

1970s TV programs show society was changing and feminists didn't need changes in divorce laws. In "All in the Family", the college-educated daughter got a job. This shows women's role outside home was already increasing in society. Thus, changes in divorce laws were unneeded. As daughter said, "Times have changed."