Formally or informally, human societies across place and time have made rules to bind and dissolve couples. The stakes of who can obtain a divorce, and why, have always been high. Divorce is a battlefield for some of society's most urgent issues, including the roles of church and state, individual rights, and women's rights. Rod Phillips digs into the complicated history of divorce. [Directed by Chintis Lundgreni Animatsioonistuudio, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Draško Ivezić and Luigi Boccherini].

Rod Phillips: A brief history of divorce

A brief history of divorce

From ancient Mesopotamia to modern times, the evolution of divorce highlights society's grappling with gender equality and personal freedom.

Despite legal advancements, cultural and economic barriers persist, making divorce a more daunting challenge for women globally.

From ancient Mesopotamia to no-fault laws, divorce’s evolution reflects shifts in societal values about marriage and individual rights.