I have counseled many people, have heard many, many life stories and family stories going back to the 50's, the 40's and the 30's.  Spousal abuse, drug and alcohol addictions, failure to care for or care about one another, hatred, apathy, emotional numbness, communication failure, intimidation, manipulation, and stubborn pride have existed for as long as marriage has existed.  The only difference is now some people don't just put up with it. 
 Change in divorce laws, the sexual revolution, and feminism didn't cause, just merely unmasked, the weaknesses that have always existed in the family.  I feel sad when I see the younger couples splitting up without making a serious attempt at the hard work of love, but I feel just as sad when I see the older couples, who, not even caring about each other anymore, stay together out of stubbornness and pride, also refusing to do the hard work of love.