Chapter 14 Divorce

1. Chapter 14Divorce • Divorce in the United States • Macro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Micro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Consequences of Divorce for Spouses • Effects of Divorce on Children • Conditions of a Successful Divorce • Alternatives to Divorce

2. Macro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Egalitarian Role perceptions - Marriages where women have egalitarian rather than traditional views have a higher divorce rate. • Economic independence of women - Wives who earn income can afford to leave husbands in an unhappy marriage.

3. Macro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Changing family functions and structure - There are fewer reasons to keep the family together. • Liberal Divorce Laws - No fault divorce laws permit easy divorce in every state • Few moral/religious sanctions

4. Macro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Divorce Models - The more divorced people one knows, the greater chance the person will divorce. • Mobility/Anonymity - With few ties and greater anonymity, the social control to stay married decreases. • Individualistic goals

5. Micro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Negative behavior - Sexual infidelity, drinking, not communicating, and anger. • Lack Of Conflict Resolution Skills - Spouses often attack, blame, fail to listen and don’t move conversation toward resolution.

6. Micro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Value Changes - Radical change to or from religion may rock a marriage. • Satiation - Going to new places, doing new things, and making time for intimacy tend to reduce this effect.

7. Micro Factors Contributing to Divorce • Extramarital relationship - New person is seen as alternative to negative interaction with spouse • Perception that being divorced is better than being married - 2/3 of applications for divorce filed by woman.

8. Top Ten Factors for Divorce • Courtship less than two years • Few common interests/values. • Marrying in teens. • Not being religiously devout. • Differences in race/education/religion/social class.

9. Top Ten Factors for Divorce • History of cohabitation. • Previous marriage. • No children. • Spending little leisure time together. • Urban residence.

10. Emotional and Psychological Consequences • Divorced more likely to be depressed, abuse alcohol/drugs and commit suicide. • Women have easier emotional time since they have more supportive relationships. • Men get involved in new relationships sooner.

11. Financial Consequences • Both women and men have lower incomes after divorce. • Income drop for women is 40%, for men 17%. • Only 3% of divorces involve prenuptial agreement. • Over 50% of custodial mothers receive child support which is inadequate and infrequent.

12. Minimize Negative Effects On Children Factors • Cooperative relationship between parents. • Both parents stay involved in children's lives. • Parents nurture children’s relationship with other parent. • Continue to assert parental authority. • No new children in new marriage.

13. Minimize Negative Effects on Children Factors • Temperament of child that allows for easy adjustment to change. • Regular and consistent child support payments • Limited changes in residence, friends, school, teachers. • Divorce mediation

14. A “Successful” Divorce Factors • Mediation rather than litigation. • Co-parenting with ex-spouse. • Each partner assumes some blame. • View divorce positively. • Avoid alcohol/drugs

15. A “Successful” Divorce Factors • Stress reduction via aerobic exercise. • Continue interpersonal connections with friends/family. • Stop reliving divorce - let it go. • Allow time to heal - 18 to 24 months.

16. Alternatives To Divorce • Annulment • Separation • Desertion