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Title: When Harry left Sally: A New Estimate of Marital Disruption in the U.S., 1860 1948

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2009

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Abstract: The divorce rate is a poor indicator of marital instability because many marital disruptions never become divorces. This paper provides the first estimate of the rate of marital disruption in the U.S. in 1860 1948. In the long run, the cohort rate of marital disruption increased from about 10% in the mid-1860s to about 30% in the 1940s. Marital disruption rate was similar to the divorce rate after the Civil War but the two rates diverged wildly in the early 20th century. In 1900 1930, the disruption rate was as much as double the divorce rate, implying that perhaps half of all disruptions never reached the court.

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Authors: Cvrcek, Tomas

Periodical (Full): Demographic Research

Issue: 24

Volume: 21

Pages: 719-758

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage

Countries: United States