FCS 4845

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FCS 4845

• Divorce and Adjustment

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Terms

• No-fault divorce
• Alimony
• Fault
• Uncontested divorce
• Tender years doctrine
• Infidelity
• Devitalized (burned-out) marriage

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Trends in Divorce

• Statistical trends - 50 of first marriages will
  end in divorce, second marriage there is 60
  chance it will end in divorce
• Historical trends - no-fault system of divorce
  laws have influenced the divorce rate, womens
  liberation is the cause, whole complex of social
  factors

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Cont.

• Legal trends - all 50 states have adopted
  divorce-law systems

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Why couples divorce?

• Top 4 reasons infidelity, no longer loving each
  other, emotional problems, and financial problems
• Others physical abuse, abuse of alcohol or
  drugs, sexual problems, problems with in-laws,
  work conflicts, unworkable gender roles, and lack
  of time together

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Unhappy versus happy couples

• Study of 5039 married couples, 2375 were unhappy
  couples and were in marriage counseling, 2664
  were happily married and had gone to marriage
  enrichment programs
• Communication is the crux of the problem
• Most difficult period of divorce is before the
  decision to divorce

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Adjusting to Divorce

• 6 different separation experiences with which
  individuals must contend
• 1. Emotional divorce centers around the problem
• 2. Legal divorce focuses on the legal arena
• 3. Economic divorce deals with money and
  property

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Cont.

• 4. Coparental divorce involves custody,
  single-parent homes, and visitation rights
• 5. Community divorce changes in friendships and
  community relationships
• 6. Psychological divorce regaining individual
  autonomy as a single person again