Marriage and Family

What are some causes of marriages falling apart?

• Poor communication: Lack of effective, honest communication often leads to misunderstandings and resentment.

• Infidelity: Betrayal of trust can break the emotional connection between partners.

• Financial stress: Money problems can lead to tension, conflict, and dissatisfaction.

• Lack of intimacy: Emotional or physical disconnection can weaken the relationship over time.

• Unresolved conflict: Constant arguing or avoiding important issues can erode the foundation of the marriage.

• Growing apart: Partners may change in ways that lead them to feel less compatible or connected.

What are the four horsemen of the apocalypse?

▪ Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, Stonewalling

1. Criticism: Attacking your partner’s character instead of addressing specific behaviors or issues.

2. Contempt: Expressing disrespect, disdain, or superiority, often through sarcasm, mocking, or name-calling.

3. Defensiveness: Responding to criticism by blaming or denying responsibility, rather than accepting any fault.

4. Stonewalling: Withdrawing or shutting down communication to avoid conflict, often through silence or physical withdrawal.

What three dimensions characterize healthy marriages?

1. Positiveness: Couples maintain a positive attitude towards each other, supporting and encouraging one another.

2. Reciprocity: Both partners engage in mutual give-and-take, sharing responsibilities and emotional support.

3. Balanced Dominance: Power and decision-making are equally shared between partners, with neither dominating the relationship.

What does it mean to say divorce is a “process”?

• Divorce as a process means it involves more than just the legal dissolution of a marriage.

• It encompasses emotional, social, and financial changes over time.

• The process can take months or even years as individuals go through grief, adjustment, and rebuilding their lives.

• It's not just a single event but a transition that involves various stages of coping and adapting.

How do remarriages differ from first marriages?

• Experience: Remarried individuals often bring more life experience and baggage

• Expectations: Expectations may be more realistic or cautious after previous experiences

• Children: Remarriages often involve blending families, which can lead to additional challenges in parenting and adjusting to stepchildren.

• Relationship Dynamics: There might be more focus on practicality and stability in remarriages, whereas first marriages might be more focused on romance and exploring new roles.

What is empty nest syndrome?

o   Is it more myth or reality?

• Empty Nest Syndrome refers to feelings of sadness, loneliness, or loss that parents may experience when their children leave home to live independently.

• Myth or Reality?:

  • It is more of a myth

What are boomerang children?

o   Why can this be bad? Good?

Boomerang children are young adults who leave home to live independently but later return to live with their parents due to financial, emotional, or other reasons.

• Bad:

  • Can lead to strain on the parent-child relationship and a lack of independence for the child.

  • Parents might experience financial stress or frustration with the loss of privacy.

• Good:

  • Provides financial support or a temporary safety net for young adults.

  • Can help parents and children reconnect and develop a deeper understanding of one another.

What is the sandwich generation?

o   Why can this arrangement be stressful?

The sandwich generation refers to adults who are caring for both their aging parents and their own children at the same time.

• Stressful because:

  • Time and financial strain from balancing caregiving duties for both parents and children.

  • Can lead to emotional burnout due to the pressure of managing multiple roles.

  • Conflict over time and energy commitments may arise between caring for children and aging parents.