Marriage is an institution that has always been considered sacrosanct in societies around the world; However, recent trends and statistics indicate that the importance of having a strong, long-lasting marriage has diminished in recent years. The divorce rate in America is currently 50% of all marriages; this means that for every two couples who get married, one of those couples will end up separating. (QUOTE) The current state of marriage, as exemplified in Didion's essay “Marrying Absurd” and evident in modern society, is the direct result of cultural values ​​regarding marriage, religious beliefs regarding marriage, and ideas that society today has towards marriage. (QUOTE) Such problems, along with financial problems and infidelity, are what cause such high divorce rates in America. Money is one of the main causes of divorce. A large percentage of marital stress comes from financial strains; Couples struggling financially are more likely to argue about money regularly, which significantly increases the risk of divorce. (QUOTE) On the other end of the spectrum, a couple with financial stability and an abundance of money is just as likely to divorce as a couple in financial difficulty. When there is enough money to divide equally between the couple, divorce becomes a financially viable option for marriages already on the brink of failure. (QUOTE) While finances play a role in the overall happiness of married people, divorce statistics over time show that divorce rates are independent of the economy. So what else causes irreconcilable differences in marriages? Infidelity is another concern for couples today, as affairs have become increasingly common in recent times, with 50-70% of divorces ending due to infidelity... paper ..... .ti V. . Buscemi and Charlotte Smith. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 60-63. Print. Online divorce is quick and easy | CompleteCase.com. Network. November 28, 2011.."Divorce Statistics in the United States | Divorce Information." How to Get Divorced: The Essential Guide to Divorce, Divorce Laws, Divorce Rates, Free Divorce, Divorce Lawyers and More. Network. November 28, 2011..Dowd, Casey. “Why So Many Baby Boomers Are Divorcing.” Foxbusiness.com.FOXBusiness, June 23, 2011. Web. November 28, 2011.boomers-are-divorcing/>."Quick Facts About American Religion." Hartford Institute for Religious Research. Network. 28 November. 2011.