THE INCREASE OF DIVORCE 



By John Burton Phillips 



To understand the increase of divorce it is necessary to take into 

 consideration those forces which are said to be weakening the influence 

 of the family. These forces have been set in motion by modem indus- 

 trial and social changes, and while not perhaps tending strongly to 

 disintegrate the family, have nevertheless considerably affected its posi- 

 tion in the social structure. 



The modem family has shared fully in the movement for freedom 

 which has been so characteristic of the last hundred years. Today the 

 family is a sort of free government. The children are ruled by other 

 methods than by the rod. The absolute power of the father is gone. 

 Each member of the family in some degree takes part in its government. 

 The development of liberty in the family is also apparent in the legal 

 position of the wife. Her property is now her own and marriage does 

 not interfere with her rights to its control. 



The same change appears in the recognition of the rights of children. 

 Various laws restrict the father's control over them. The parents are 

 compelled to send them to school, and a great movement is now under 

 way to restrict their employment in industry till they are sixteen years 

 of age. This legislation is an outgrowth of the idea of liberty, and the 

 result is the Hmitation of the father's power in the home. 



It is also probably true that modem children are less respectful 

 toward their parents than was formerly the case. The children of 

 American parents are said to be less respectful than those of European. 

 Whatever truth there may be in this is perhaps due to the fact that 

 America is a democratic country and in such a country where classes 

 are not sharply defined children are not likely to show the respect for 

 parents which they display in older and more settled countries where 

 society is more nearly in a static condition. In European countries the 

 boy is as a rule brought up to follow the vocation of his father. He 

 does not try to get out of his class. He therefore thinks differently of the 



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