The Dissolution of Marriage Chapter 15 The Dissolution of Marriage

Chapter Outline Let No One Put Asunder Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate Emotional Divorce and the Emotions of Divorce Divorce but Not the End of the Relationship

Chapter Outline Problems of the Newly Divorced Divorce: The Legalities Divorce Counseling and Mediation Reducing Divorce Rates Divorce May Not Be the Answer

Divorce Rates The crude divorce rate—the ratio of divorces to each 1,000 persons within the population—is really a better, though less dramatic, measure of marital stability than the ratio of divorces to marriages in a given year.

The Number of Divorces and Divorce Rates Year # Divorces Rate/1000 total population 2003 3.8 2002 4.0 2001 1998 1,135,000 4.3 1996 1,158,000 4.4 1990 1,175,000 4.7

The Number of Divorces and Divorce Rates Year # Divorces Rate/1000 total population 1985 1,172,000 4.9 1980 1,182,000 5.2 1970 773,000 3.7 1960 393,000 2.2 1950 385,000 2.6 1946 610,000 4.3 1940 293,000

Serial Marriages Serial marriages: Marrying, divorcing, and marrying again; a series of legal marriages

Divorce Rates Worldwide Country Divorce as a % of all Marriages Russia 65 Sweden 64 Finland 56 Britain 53 United States 49 Canada 45

Divorce Rates Worldwide Country Divorce as a % of all Marriages France 43 Germany 41 Israel 26 Greece 18 Spain 17 Italy 12

Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate Most divorcing couples cite personal reasons, such as unhappiness, poor communication, sexual failure, and general dissatisfaction. Americans ask a great deal of modern marriage. High expectations often lead to disappointment and failure.

Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate Tied closely to Americans’ high expectations of marriage is the freedom of individuals to make marital choices. Changing gender roles are part of the American interest in the general concept of change and its benefits.

Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate Economic independence of women encourages separation and divorce. When a wife had no economic alternatives, she was forced to tolerate an unsatisfactory marriage, in return for economic security. With so many kinds of people and so many beliefs, attitudes, and value systems, family and marriage will naturally mean many and different things to different individuals.

Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate The mobility of Americans may contribute. Families that move often may not create support networks. Social upheaval, economic problems, and the general health of the society.

Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate The stigma of divorce has largely vanished over the past 30years. Personal inadequacies, failures, and problems that contribute to each individual divorce.

Reasons for America’s High Divorce Rate A number of risk factors tend to predict marital instability. Those marrying at a young age are more prone to divorce. Premarital pregnancy, children born out of wedlock, parental divorce, and remarriage all relate to a greater probability of divorce.

Emotions of Divorce First, there are clouds of doubt, early signs that the marriage is getting into trouble. This is followed by a variety of distancing behaviors as the couple becomes more dissatisfied.

Emotions of Divorce One of the partners begins to imagine living apart, or substituting a new partner for the old partner. The possibility of divorce is first mentioned. The appearance of solidarity is broken before the public.

Emotions of Divorce The decision to divorce is made, usually after long discussion and much vacillation. The crisis of actual physical separation follows. Final severance comes with the actual divorce.

Emotions of Divorce A period of mental conflict and reconstruction follows the divorce. If children are present, the divorced partners’ relationship may never end, because the problems of coparenting remain.

Types of Child Custody The most common is sole custody. In this case, the children are assigned to one parent who has sole responsibility for physically raising the children. In joint custody, the children divide their time between the parents, who share the various decisions about their children.

Types of Child Custody In split custody, children are divided between the parents. This method separates the children from each other but reduces the burden on a parent who might otherwise have sole custody of the children. The court may award custody to someone other than a parent or parents.

Legal terms No-fault divorce: Divorce proceeding that does not place blame for the divorce on one spouse or the other. Reviewable alimony: An award of alimony that is reviewed periodically and changed if necessary.

Describing Goals in Behavioral Terms Vague Goals Action Goals Be respectful. You will ask me about my day. I will compliment you about your work. Be more loving. You will tell me you love me at least once a week. I will volunteer to watch the kids so you can go out.

Describing Goals in Behavioral Terms Vague Goals Action Goals Be more sexual. I will initiate sex once a week. I will suggest we try something different. You will be more verbal when we make love.

Describing Goals in Behavioral Terms Vague Goals Action Goals Be less selfish. You will ask what I want to do on weekends. I will check with you before making plans. I will clean up if you make dinner.

Quick Quiz

1. In this custody case, the children are assigned to one parent Joint Custody Sole Custody Split Custody None of these

Answer: b In sole custody cases, the children are assigned to one parent.

2. An award decreed by divorce that is reviewed periodically Reviewable alimony Palimony Joint custody Split Custody

Answer: a Reviewable alimony is an award that can be reviewed periodically.

3. Which of these are one of the last emotional stages of divorce as described by the text? Doubt Broken Solidarity Separation Reconstruction

Answer: d Reconstruction is one of the last emotional stages of divorce, according to the text.