To what degree can the higher-than-historical-norms in the US divorce rate among Baby Boomers be attributed to unplanned marriages made by guys trying to be deferred from being drafted and sent to Viet Nam?
A couple of points -
- Back in the early 1960s, and continuing to the middle of the Johnson administration, a guy could be deferred from the draft by being married. (Kennedy opened the loophole; Johnson closed it)
- As a result, some percentage of marriages took place expressly for the purpose of deferring the man from being drafted and serving in the Army. (Some folks went to Canada, others got married)
- My assumption is that some (not all) of these marriages weren’t necessarily built on undying love, but more likely on the rules of the Selective Service Admin.
- Divorce rates historically were in the 22–25% range, but by the end of the 70s (and continuing now) they are hovering around 50 %. one of many links
Is this coincidence, or cause and effect?
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