When you look at divorce rates across different generations, you may be surprised by what you find. While people often say that half of all marriages end in divorce, that is not entirely true anymore. Divorce rates have been falling for decades.

This trend is a stark contrast to older generations. Baby boomers have the highest divorce rate of any generation. They ushered in a new era of divorce that made it more socially acceptable. Here is a breakdown of attitudes toward marriage and divorce among the past six generations.

The GI Generation and Silent Generation

The GI Generation, also known as the “Greatest Generation,” was born between 1901 and 1926. The Silent Generation was born between 1927 and 1945. They shared similar ideas about marriage. To them, a marriage was a lifelong commitment. The concept of divorce was often seen as a moral failure. They lived during a time when men typically worked and women stayed home. Divorce was not a realistic option for many of them.

Baby boomers

Born between 1946 and 1965, baby boomers broke from the traditions of their parents. They welcomed rock and roll, civil rights and feminism. They put individual fulfillment ahead of traditional family roles. No-fault divorce became common during this time, which meant you did not have to prove a cause to end your marriage. Divorce became a way out of an unhappy union. This generation continues to divorce more than any other age group.

Generation X

Gen X was born between 1965 and 1980. They are a smaller generation than the Baby Boomers. They grew up watching their parents divorce. As a result, many of them waited longer to get married or did not marry at all. Once they did marry, they were more likely to stay married. They had lower divorce rates than their parents. In the 1990s, around 70% of marriages lasted at least 15 years, an increase from the two decades prior.

Millennials and Generation Z

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, were born between 1981 and 1996, and they also waited to get married. They prioritized education and careers. Financial concerns also played a significant role. It is more expensive than ever to raise a family. Both partners need to work full-time just to make ends meet. It’s too soon to tell with Gen Z, who were born between 1997 and 2012. It will be interesting to see if they follow the trend of their predecessors and continue to put off marriage.

Generational attitudes toward marriage and divorce have changed over time, but many of the underlying causes for divorce remain the same, such as financial problems, infidelity and lack of communication.