1. Dissolution and Loss of Relationships

2. Divorce Rate It is estimated that about 50 % of marriages will end in divorce United States has one of the highest divorce rates in the world Younger couples more likely to divorce First few years of marriage most at risk

3. Putting Divorce Rate in Perspective People are living longer Relationships would end in other ways The length of marriages on average has increased

4. Why has divorce rate increased Greater Expectations Less traditional attitudes about gender roles Economic Status of women

5. Independence vs. Stabilization Hypothesis Independence hypothesis – paid employment increases options Stabilization hypothesis – more money is associated with investment in marriage- related assets Both views supported

6. Predictors of Divorce Why do happy couples divorce? Why do unhappy couples stay married?

7. Predictors of Divorce Levinger’s Model – Attraction (Benefits of marriage-Cost) Alternatives Barriers Divorce = low attraction, high alternatives, and low barriers

8. Predictors of divorce Sex ratios Race Intergenerational transmission Age at marriage Prior marriage Socioeconomic status Religion

9. Predictors of divorce Premarital cohabitation Premarital Birth Fertility Children Attitude Similarity

10. Predictors of Divorce Personality attributes Stressful Life events Time together Interaction patterns Sex Marital satisfaction Sexual Infidelity

11. Road to Divorce Karney and Bradbury’s vulnerability- stress-adaptation model - roots of divorce can begin in childhood - Stresses of marriage

12. Steps to Separation Discovery of the Problem Exposure Negotiation Transformation Grave-Dressing

13. Afterwards Social Support Feelings about partner Relationship with Former Partner Household tasks Finances

14. Aftwerwards Feelings of Grief Breakees Breakers Mutuals Gender

15. Effects of Divorce on Children Parental divorce predicts negative outcomes for children Effects have decreased however

16. Reasons for Effects on Children Parental Loss Parental Stress and Economic Hardship Conflict Explanation

17. Children experience lower levels of well being before a divorce ever happens The greater the postmarital conflict, the lower the children’s well being Children in highly conflicted but in tact marriages also experience lower levels of well being