Final answer:
The generation with the highest recorded divorce rate experienced this peak around 1980, influenced by changes in divorce laws and societal shifts, such as more women working. Current divorce rates resemble those from the 1970s due to later marriages, better education, and reduced marriage rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The generation with the highest divorce rate on record is the one that witnessed divorce rates peaking around 1980, with 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married individuals. This dramatic increase following the 1960s has been linked to the liberalization of divorce laws and societal changes, such as more women entering the workforce. However, since then, divorce rates have declined, aligning more with the rates from 1970, influenced by factors like higher marriage age, increased education, and lower marriage rates overall.