Historically speaking, America has always been progressive. When it comes to social issues, we have adapted to the new demands of society. Discrimination and Prejudices of all types have been weeded out of mainstream society, workers have received more rights, and both women and African-Americans have been given the right to vote like they ought to be. However, we seem to be ignoring one issue that demands attention. Divorce.

Maybe the discontinuation of a marriage is not that big of an issue. No one is having rights taken away and no one is even being physically harmed or oppressed. Not only is divorce non-oppressing, but it seems to be a liberating force in today’s society. When a wife is forced to endure abuse of any kind, when a husband is seen as nothing but a means to obtain wealth, or when they both realize they are not meant to be together divorce is the key to a new life.

But what price do we pay to use this key? What do our personal matters have to do with society? In America, sadly enough, the institution of Divorce is almost as big as that of the institution of Marriage. Most people don’t think or predict that they are going to be married just to be divorced. Unfortunately, this is how about 1/5 of America’s marriage have turned out. According to Jennifer Baker from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, “50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce.” With this in mind, America has some shaping up to do.

But why should we change? When thinking of divorce most think of one man and one woman leaving each other. This is not true. Although the general idea of a man and woman separating is accurate, we tend to forget about their dependant children. Currently, about 1/3 of America’s youth are not being raised by both natural parents. About 50,000 infants, children, teens, and young adults are victims of divorce. The problem with these children not being raised by both parents is that they are essentially being set up for failure. With only one parent supporting and raising a child, there is a lot of time between the gaps. With the factors of a house torn by divorce, stress and constant self-reliance force children to mature faster than is healthy. The foundation of a person’s life is laid when they are children. Only parents, unified as one, can successfully perform this great service.

The change should start with us. Instead of being quick to think that a marriage is “hopeless”, we should start to think of the magnitude of our decisions. Begin thinking about what we as individuals can do to change so that others will not have to suffer from our own selfish desires. Just as in the Civil Rights movement, great deeds performed by the masses were not accomplished immediately, or started by any great quantity. We must start to re-lay the standards of society so that future Americans won’t be a part of the rampant divorce issues that we see today.