The Connection between the Family Cycle and Divorce Rates: An Analysis Based on European Data

This contribution tests the hypothesis that the socioeconomic structure of a country influences the family phases and through these changes has an effect on divorce rates. The result of examining this relationship is that the changes in the family cycle-falling age of marriage, rise in life expectancy, decreasing number of children and the growing absorption of women by the labor market (developments typical of increasing industrialization) -correlate with a rise in divorce rates. The interpretations are based on contrasting aggregate data of European countries, which were divided into two groups according to their degree of industrialization.