"Rising divorce rates are indicative of changing attitudes towards marriage and commitment in contemporary societies." In light of this, discuss the reasons behind increasing number of divorces in contemporary times.

1. Decline in 'sacred' conception of marriage

• no longer it remains a bond for life (and beyond as described in Indian scriptures)

1. High loaded Electric circuit as described by Edmund Leach. Nuclearisation of family has lead to high expectation level which spouses place on each other.

2. Aspirations beyond reproductive role as women are shifting to productive role (by rising labour force participation rate). They are now financially independent.

(4) Breakdown hypothesis joint to nuclear shift of families has been marked by rising individualism which is reflecting in other walks of personal life.

(5) Institutionalisation of live-in relation as described by Mark Brown promoting adultery outside wedlock

(6) High premium on relations and divorce seen as an emancipation

• as described by feminist that marriage and family are tools of oppression and patriarchy.

(7) New forms of family : Homosexual, technology aided, surrogacy.