Marriage Then vs Marriage Now: Why Divorce Has Become Routine
Nidhi | Oct 24, 2025, 16:16 IST
Parents Break More Marriages
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
There was a time when divorce was rare and rarely discussed. Couples stayed together through hardships, often prioritizing duty over personal happiness. Today, divorce has become routine, influenced by women’s independence, higher emotional awareness, changing expectations of love, and less societal pressure to stay in unhappy marriages. This article examines why our parents endured lifelong commitments while modern couples are more likely to walk away. It explores trust, intimacy, societal pressures, and evolving ideals, offering insights into how marriage has transformed in the modern age.
There was a time, not so long ago, when the word divorce was whispered in hushed tones. It was something that happened far away—out of sight, out of mind. People got married and stayed married, through thick and thin, through sickness and health. There were no dramatic exits, no grand gestures, just quiet endurance.
Today, divorce has become less of a taboo and more of a common occurrence. We see it more often, talk about it more openly, and for some, it’s almost expected. What happened to that unwavering commitment our parents seemed to have? What made their generation stick it out while ours seems to walk away?
One of the biggest shifts reshaping modern marriages is the rise of women’s independence. In our parents’ time, women often stayed in marriages because they had no other choice. Financial dependence, societal pressure, and the absence of career opportunities kept many women in unsatisfactory, sometimes even abusive, marriages. Divorce wasn’t even an option for them.
Today, women are financially independent, educated, and professionally established. If a marriage is unhealthy, the option to leave is not only available but also embraced. This newfound freedom is empowering—but it also means that walking away from an unsatisfying relationship is no longer a difficult decision.
When our parents got married, love was about sacrifice. It was about sticking it out, even when passion faded or marriage became routine. Today, love still involves compromise, but it’s also about emotional fulfillment, mutual respect, and shared dreams.
In the modern world, personal happiness often takes priority. If a marriage no longer brings joy, it may be seen as better to walk away than to endure. Marriage is no longer measured by endurance alone—it’s measured by the quality of the relationship.
For previous generations, trust was sacred. Infidelity was a betrayal, yes, but many couples forgave, often for the sake of family. Staying together despite the pain was seen as a mark of strength.
Today, infidelity is both easier to engage in and more visible. Smartphones, social media, and dating apps make emotional and physical affairs accessible and public. Once trust is broken, repair is difficult, and many find walking away easier than enduring the emotional turmoil.
Intimacy is more than sex—it’s connection. Small gestures, shared glances, and heartfelt conversations built emotional bonds. Couples of the past often overlooked emotional distance or accepted it as part of life.
Today, the absence of intimacy is one of the leading causes of marital breakdown. People are more aware of their emotional needs. When emotional bonds weaken, couples may feel like roommates instead of partners. Modern marriages require emotional closeness and shared connection to thrive.
Social media has changed everything. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook constantly bombard us with images of “perfect” relationships. Our parents didn’t have this constant comparison.
Now, couples measure their relationships against idealized standards. If things aren’t perfect—if the spark fades or there’s a rough patch—many feel their marriage is failing. This mindset can lead to disappointment and an increased likelihood of divorce.
Our parents often stayed together due to societal and family expectations. Divorce was seen as failure, a stain on the family name, reserved only for extreme cases.
Today, while some family pressure exists, there’s far more acceptance that individuals deserve happiness—even if it means breaking away from a marriage. Rising divorce rates reflect a shift in priorities, emphasizing self-fulfillment over societal expectation.
Today, divorce has become less of a taboo and more of a common occurrence. We see it more often, talk about it more openly, and for some, it’s almost expected. What happened to that unwavering commitment our parents seemed to have? What made their generation stick it out while ours seems to walk away?
1. The Rise of Independence: Women’s Changing Role
Women
( Image credit : Freepik )
Today, women are financially independent, educated, and professionally established. If a marriage is unhealthy, the option to leave is not only available but also embraced. This newfound freedom is empowering—but it also means that walking away from an unsatisfying relationship is no longer a difficult decision.
2. Love and Commitment: Rewritten for the Modern Age
Indian Marriage
( Image credit : Pexels )
In the modern world, personal happiness often takes priority. If a marriage no longer brings joy, it may be seen as better to walk away than to endure. Marriage is no longer measured by endurance alone—it’s measured by the quality of the relationship.
3. Trust and Infidelity: A Different Kind of Betrayal
Marriage After Kids
( Image credit : Freepik )
Today, infidelity is both easier to engage in and more visible. Smartphones, social media, and dating apps make emotional and physical affairs accessible and public. Once trust is broken, repair is difficult, and many find walking away easier than enduring the emotional turmoil.
4. Intimacy: The Silent Erosion
Leaving the Marriage
( Image credit : Pexels )
Today, the absence of intimacy is one of the leading causes of marital breakdown. People are more aware of their emotional needs. When emotional bonds weaken, couples may feel like roommates instead of partners. Modern marriages require emotional closeness and shared connection to thrive.
5. The Expectations of Perfection
Beginning of Marriage
( Image credit : Freepik )
Social media has changed everything. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook constantly bombard us with images of “perfect” relationships. Our parents didn’t have this constant comparison.
Now, couples measure their relationships against idealized standards. If things aren’t perfect—if the spark fades or there’s a rough patch—many feel their marriage is failing. This mindset can lead to disappointment and an increased likelihood of divorce.
6. Family Pressure and Societal Expectations
Today, while some family pressure exists, there’s far more acceptance that individuals deserve happiness—even if it means breaking away from a marriage. Rising divorce rates reflect a shift in priorities, emphasizing self-fulfillment over societal expectation.