What significant social change has contributed to the rise of lone parent households?

The rise of lone parent households can be significantly attributed to the easier divorce processes. In many societies, legal reforms have simplified the divorce process, making it less time-consuming and less costly. This has allowed individuals to leave unsatisfactory or unfulfilling marriages more readily. As couples feel more empowered to separate, the number of lone parent households has increased since one or both parents take on the responsibility of raising children independently post-divorce. This shift reflects broader societal norms, where the stigma surrounding divorce has decreased, further contributing to the prevalence of lone parenting.

The other options do not adequately explain the trend. For example, while increased birth rates might suggest a larger number of children, they do not specifically connect to the structure of family units as much as the facilitative nature of divorce laws. Higher marriage rates would typically lead to more two-parent households, not lone parents. Lastly, increased societal disapproval of single parenting tends to reflect a negative view rather than a contributing factor to the rise of such households, as individuals are equally likely to pursue single parenthood despite societal views that may not support it. This complex social landscape underscores how the ease of divorce has more directly influenced the increase in lone parent households.