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Divorce is Contagious

Researchers from the University of Texas and the University of Iowa, studying religiously conservative Protestants, have found that the more devout those they study are, the more likely they are to divorce. Even more striking, the effect is so strong that the non-religious around them are also more likely to divorce. The study, to be published in the American Journal of Sociology, found that conservative Protestants (defined as those who believe the Bible is literally true) are likely to marry younger, and have children younger — both of which are significant divorce precursors because such factors strain marriages. And they push their conservative religion so strongly, they affect local culture, even the non-religious, in reduced availability of birth control, and “if you live in a marriage market where everybody marries young, you postpone marriage at your own risk,” said Prof. Jennifer Glass of the University of Texas at Austin. “The best catches,” she says, “are going to go first.” (RC/Los Angeles Times) ...“Where’s the fire, what’s the hurry about? You’d better cool it off before you burn it out....” —Billy Joel (“Vienna”)