KISHA BANKSSOCIOLOGY REFLECTION

DIVORCE IN AMERICA Sociology 1020-42

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Definition of Divorce Divorce Rates Top Five Reasons Couples Divorce -Discussions on

Abuse Incompatibility

Effects of Divorce on Society The Effects of Divorce on Children Steps Society Can Take Steps Individuals Can Take Setting Goals for your Marriage Your Happily Ever After Conclusions

Definition of Divorce

Divorce is a legal dissolution of a marriage.

Divorce Rates

According to divorcerates.com, divorce rates across the globe have been rising rapidly owing to certain problems like incompatibility between couples, infidelity issues, lack of trust and understanding, and financial pressures. It is sad to observe that the rising divorce rates across the world and see marriages breaking.

According to this website, in the year 2012, the United States was ranked as having the 6th highest divorce rate at approximately 40-50%, with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Cayman Islands as the 5 countries with higher divorce rates.

Top five reasons couples divorce

While there are varying views on reasons for divorce, these seem to be the top 5 reasons (in no particular order):

Abuse Abandonment Infidelity False expectations Incompatibility We will look at a couple of these in the following slides:

Domestic abuse is a reason couples divorce. Abuse can take different forms:

Physical

Sexual

Emotional

Mental

Incompatibility

When couples do not share the same views on important things, such as religion, interests, or intellect, it can lead to an unhappy relationship

Effects of Divorce on Society

It should be no surprise that divorce has a profound effect on individuals as well as on society. Of course, children suffer a great deal through divorce. Therefore, we will discuss some of the effects of divorce on children:

The effects of divorce on childrenhttp://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2000/06/the-effects-of-

divorce-on-america

AbuseBehavioral issues

Health issuesPoverty

Effects on children, continued

Children of divorced parents struggle with spelling, math, and reading

Children of divorced parents have higher dropout rates

Suicide risk is higher among children whose parents are divorced

Steps Society Can Take

Public Health campaigns to educate parents on the effects of divorce on their children

Public Health and other support for educating those who divorce on how do deal with issues related to divorce, such as visitations, finances, unresolved feelings, etc.

Make counseling an affordable option to all couples

Steps Individuals Can Take

Keep your relationship

alive

Keep communicati

on open

Educate yourself on

what marriage involves

Set goals for your marriage that are realistic and timely

“When you identify goals that are important to you, you begin to figure out ways to make them happen.” (Nikitina, 2010)

Believe it can be

accomplished

Are you willing and able to do the work involved?

Is the goal attainable?

Go into marriage with your eyes wide open

Consider counseling

before marriage to more fully

understand one another

Don’t expect perfection, but know what you

want in a companion

Be realistic in choosing a mate; know yourself and your mate

YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Depends on you. Sometimes even with the best efforts,

marriages end in divorce. If it does, take steps to resolve feelings of loss, legal issues with children and visitation, and financial needs. Find resources in your community.

Work on your relationship every day; work on finding joy and happiness in yourself as well as in your partner.

4smart.org

Conclusion….

Divorce is prominent in our society; in fact, it is 10 times more prominent today than a century ago (Social Problems, John Macionis). Many studies have shown how much affect it has, not only on the adults involved, but on the children, who will grow up to be our leaders tomorrow. Avoiding divorce, where possible, can save a lot of heartache for all involved. When divorce is necessary, taking steps to deal with the issues involved can restore peace to all involved.