Thorsten Kneip, Gerrit Bauer
Did Unilateral Divorce Laws Raise Divorce Rates in Europe?

Berlin
,
Poster Presentation Equalsoc
,
2008

During the last four decades, divorce rates have risen considerably across Europe. In about the same period many countries have undergone changes in their divorce laws and legal practices, making unilateral divorce possible. Previous research on the impact of law changes on divorce rates has concentrated on the US. It is arguable whether there are sustainable effects and problems with endogeneity. We therefore take into account the possible effect of changing norms regarding divorce in Europe.