Divorce

Divorce is the ending of a marriage, which can be contrasted with an annulment which is a declaration that a marriage never existed.

In developed countries, divorce rate tends to increase. Among them are United States, Japan, Korea and Europe countries. This is one of important research topics in sociology.

Material to fill in.

History of Divorce

Religious/Cultural Attitudes to Divorce

Legal Aspects of Divorce

United States

Under the laws of most of the states of the United States except New York a divorce is now called dissolution of marriage. This change of name was accompanied by a change from fault-based divorce, whereby one party was found guilty of one of the grounds for divorce such as adultery, desertion, or cruelty. Now, under no-fault divorce, it is simply necessary to plead that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

- family law probably should be linked to here to cover this material.
- grounds for divorce issues (no-fault divorce etc.)
- financial settlements
- children's issues.
- pre-nuptial agreements.

Japan

In Japan, under the national laws, divorce is a simple process to submit the paper to the government office that says both spouses agree to divorce.

Social and Psychological Issues

- effects on children
- women's shelters etc.
- men's rights movements

You can also carry out an "online divorce". The first online divorce occurred in 1999. For more information try http://www.quickedivorce.co.uk.