The United States has not experienced any where near a collapse in moral values as those described by people who support praying in public schools. Yes, there has been an increase in the percentages of divorce from 1960 to 1990. However, this is probably more of a reflection of the growing economic independence of women than a "moral decline." Actually, the divorce rate was higher in post-World War II 1950, a period of national prosperity, than in 1960. In 1950, the divorce rate per 1000 married women over fifteen was 10.3 versus the 9.2 rate in 1960. Prayer was allowed in public schools both in 1950 and 1960. In addition, the crime rates are vastly overstated. For example, the murder rate and non-negligent manslaughter rate per 100,000 has increased from 4.6 to 5.6 from 1963 to 2002, an increase of slightly over 1.1% per year. Much of this increase, and increases in other crime rates, can be explained by better reporting and record keeping and, as in the case of rape, by changes in social outlook through the years.