Final answer:
The statement suggesting women's economic dependence on men as a reason for high divorce rates is false. Women's increased workforce participation and consequent economic independence have impacted divorce rates along with other societal changes, such as more liberal divorce laws and later marriages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that one reason for today's high divorce rate in the United States is that women are more economically dependent on men is false. In fact, the trend has reversed; many women have become economic contributors to the household, with increased participation in the workforce. This shift from single-earner to dual-earner households has brought more equality within marriages and altered traditional family structures.
Historically, women faced economic challenges, especially after a divorce, due to being relegated to low-paid jobs and the resulting feminization of poverty. However, increases in women's education levels and changes in family dynamics, with expectations of both parents working, have strengthened women's economic independence in contemporary society.
Divorce rates have been affected by various factors, including the liberalization of divorce laws, societal acceptance of singlehood, and changes in marriage patterns, such as marrying later in life and decreased marriage rates overall. Significant social pressure for marriage still exists, but single women, particularly those over thirty-five, are often content and successful without a partner. Ongoing challenges in achieving equality, especially for minority and Black families, indicate that economic dependence and family structure are complex issues influenced by factors beyond individual relationships.