We live in a time of postmodernism, so we have the right to choose who and when and how many times we marry. The mass media portrays a higher expectation of marriage now so people are no longer settling but going for the best. More arguments occur when marital fulfilments are not attended to. .
There seems to be this ideology of marriage and happily ever after, that people seem to be striving for. This is proven in the increase in serial monogamy (re-marrying). Its not that people don't want this ideology, it's just that they are striving for perfection. Fletcher (1966) said the cause of an increase in the number of divorces is the higher expectations of women. Using the rates of remarriage it's not the institution of marriage or the ideology but insufficient partners.
Dennie (1984) regards western marriages based on romantic love as flimsy because they are only based on emotional ties.
In 1857 the Matrimonial Causes Act ensured that the only way you could get a divorce was if you could assign blame to someone. However, it was made easier by 1966 when the Divorce Reform Act was published and all you had to do was prove there was an irretrievable break down of the marriage. You didn't need to emphasise matrimonial offence or pass blame. The 1985 Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act shortened the time for a divorce from a minimum of 3 years to a minimum of 1. It also changed how financial agreements were settled; the courts could take into account the conduct of offenders if the saw it necessary. You could gain less if you seemed more to blame than the other. The Family Bill of 1996 ensured that partners had to undergo marriage counselling and consider if reconciliation was possible.
However laws, cant be seen as the cause they have just made it easier. However, changes in laws reflect the changes in public opinions, social norms.
The social position of women has also affected the increase in the divorce rate.