The traditional wedding vow to (1) together "till death us do part" is becoming obsolete in most western countries as divorce rates continue to rise steadily. In the US, for example, the statistics for 1978 show one divorce for (2) two marriages; in that year, over a million couples (3) their marriages dissolved, often at high financial and social (4) . One factor (5) the steady rise in (6) rates, according to sociologists, is the changing (7) of women. More and more women are continuing to work (8) marriage, thus remaining (9) independent. Moreover, they are becoming less (10) of husbands who treat them as subordinates. (11) important factor is the gradual relaxation of divorce (12) in many states. It is now (13) easy to obtain an uncontested divorce on the (14) of irretrievable breakdown of marriage. (15) divorce is often the only satisfactory solution for married couples who can no longer (16) the sight of each other, it can have a shocking effect on their (17) . It is estimated that one in four American children (18) lives with only one parent. Many (19) children grow up to be emotionally unstable and unable to cope (20) the pressures of modern society. They are the principal victims of divorce.