The social perception of divorce in Spain

Abstract

Divorce is a reality that was soon introduced by democracy in Spain. The divorce law was passed in 1981. This was only possible because the social context was right and because of the existence of favorable perceptions, that recently allowed a new, even more liberal, reform to take place: the 25th anniversary of its legal existence. First, this project proposes an analysis of the history of research into the perception of divorce in Spain. It focuses on the period when the law originated, at the end of the 1970s, and extends to the beginning of the 21st century, this analysis moving around two basic aspects: its acceptance and justification. The results show perceptions that have evolved quickly but which define a bipolar tendency. Spain is one of the countries where divorce is most justified, but it is also one of those that shows a large social group that adopts traditional positions.