Zmiany stanu cywilnego we współczesnej Europie – kierunek przemian oraz ich determinanty
Changes of marital status in modern Europe − their directions and determinants

Summary/Abstract: The main aim of the following paper is to determine the most significant factors that have contributed to marriages and divorces over the years, including such phenomena as re-marriages, separations, cohabitations or single living. Over the years, a decrease in the number of marriages and growth in the number of divorces can be observed. Although marriage is reported to be one of the most important values in life and is still the most popular choice, living in a non-marital relationship or living alone has notably increased recently. It can be determined by a variety of social, demographical or institutional factors that originated in Europe in the 50s of the 20th century, not only such as living together before getting married, social acceptance of divorce and re-marriages but also a greater independence of women or having more important goals in life than getting married in the future. These changes may lead to selecting these forms of life that suit particular individuals most, regardless of the established social norms.

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