Final answer:
Divorce is often a major factor that can lead to the breakdown of a family. Divorce rates increased significantly in the United States in the 1970s. Divorce can have various impacts on family members, depending on their age and developmental stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that sort of "broke" the family apart is not clearly specified in the given information. However, divorce is often a major factor that can lead to the breakdown of a family. Divorce rates increased significantly in the United States in the 1970s, causing many families to go through the emotional and practical challenges of separating and restructuring. Divorce can have various impacts on family members, depending on their age and developmental stage.