Interpersonal relationships ch 15. divorce

divorce

legal end to marriage. same for hetero and same sex

annulment

legal decision that the marriage was never valid

divorce rate decreased why

delaying marriage till older, more college educated…

divorce risk

probability of divorce (4 in 10 chance)

risk factors of divorce

low education, low income, young age at marriage, no kids, not a first marriage

macro factors contributing to divorce

women started working outside home = more money to be able to leave

industrialization and divorce

took parent out of home and other institutions took over some family roles, less dependence of support from large extended families

no fault divorce laws

no longer have to prove reason for divorce

cultural values

familistic groups (asians, mexicans) less likely to divorce than individualistic ones

micro factors contributing to divorce

grow apart- values begin to differ and don’t spend time together. mental health problems

infdelity

20% male and 10% women report having extra marriage affair

drop in positive behaviors and rise in negative behaviors

recommend 5 positives to every 1 negative behavior

stay or end unhappy long term relationship

high-conflict divorces

involve lengthy legal battles and are cataracted by a high degree of anger, hostility, distrust, and ongoing difficulty in communicating about care of children

same-sex couples divorce

pressure to make it work and shame bc they worked so hard for right to marry

money outcomes of divorce

expense legal costs, costs more to live in two homes. women tend to be worse off financially than men

child support

money one parent pays other to help with child’s expenses- may be legal or informal agreement. less then ½ receive full payment

alimony

spousal support- money paid to former spouse - less than 15%

parental alienation

1 parent persuades child to reject other parent

physical custody

who child’s legal residence is with and who gets visitation - can be joint which has more benefits

legal custody

who has legal say for children (education, medication…)

outcomes for children abt divorce

this is an ACE, neglect on well being. behavioral and academic probs, conflict b/t parents. may experience benefits

successful divorce

mediation instead of litigation, co-parenting, use healthy ways to manage stress, maintain supportive relationships with friends and family, let go of anger

remarriage

more likely in men than women, and more likely than 1st marriages to divorce

step families

1 or both partners bring into remarriage

stepsibling

1’s parent married the others parent

half sibling

have 1 parent in common

divorce and remarriage

are processes; not just 1 time event