The increases in divorce rates have been among the most visible features of the recent decades of
family change. Some have seen this as a sign of social and moral disruption with a potential to
shatter the family institution and the foundations of society itself. Others have celebrated these
trends as signalling increased individual liberty and the loosening of suffocating social mores.
Divorce is one of the most often mentioned major life events (Gähler, 1998) and can cause major
stress and upheaval for many, and a sense of relief and opportunity for personal growth for
others. It is no wonder that divorce and family instability have attracted wide attention among
social scientists.