A Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Divorce - Razorplanet
A Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Divorce - Razorplanet A Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Divorce - Razorplanet
18 Table 1 Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project: Parents’ Attitudes toward Their Divorce Parents’ Attitude toward Their Divorce i’m done with this marriage; it’s too late now even if my spouse were to make major changes. i have mixed feelings about the divorce; sometimes i think it’s a good idea and sometimes i’m not sure. i would consider reconciling if my spouse got serious about making major changes. i don’t want this divorce, and i would work hard to get us back together. parents after mandated parenting classes parents mailed surveys within one month of filing for divorce parents at first consultation with a lawyer (N=445) (N=220) (N=78) n % n % n % 286 67.30% 137 62.30% 42 53.80% 79 18.60% 31 14.10% 11 14.10% 37 8.70% 24 10.90% 12 15.40% 23 5.40% 28 12.70% 13 16.70% Source: William J. Doherty, Brian J. Willoughby, and Bruce Peterson, “Marital Reconciliation Interests of Divorcing Parents: Research and Implications for Practice,” Family Law Forum 19, no. 3 (Spring/Summer 2011): 48–52.
a data set that has followed a group of continuously married individuals for twenty years (the Marital Stability over the Life Course Study), the researchers found that about one-third of married people who had ever reported low marital happiness later on experienced a turnaround. In other words, about one-third of unhappy marriages recovered. 22 It is interesting that this figure is similar to the 30 percent of divorcing parents who expressed an interest in reconciliation that the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project revealed. Overall, an intriguing and growing body of research is suggesting that most couples who divorce have problems that are not much different from those who stay married, that unhappy marriages can experience turnarounds, and that even well into the process a significant minority of those divorcing are interested in exploring the option of reconciliation. Together, the research suggests that it is not only possible but wise for the state to help distressed couples when possible to avoid divorce. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? The research findings presented in this report clearly suggest that today’s very high U.S. divorce rate is not only costly to taxpayers, it is not only harmful to children, it is also, to a degree that we are only now understanding, preventable. 19
- Page 1: Sec nd Chances A Proposal to Reduce
- Page 4 and 5: THE AUTHORS ARE GRATEFUL TO Charles
- Page 6 and 7: 6 October 21, 2011 DEAR READER: As
- Page 8 and 9: 8 MAJOR FINDINGS n About 40 percent
- Page 10 and 11: 10 1. RESEARCH 1. RESEARCH FINDINGS
- Page 12 and 13: 12 In a compelling use of data, Pro
- Page 14 and 15: 14 These costs arise from increased
- Page 16 and 17: 16 be interested in an “exit ramp
- Page 20 and 21: 20 2. RECOMMENDATIONS The remaining
- Page 22 and 23: 22 In her classic qualitative study
- Page 24 and 25: 24 Table 2 State Waiting Periods fo
- Page 26 and 27: 26 5. States and nations with waiti
- Page 28 and 29: 28 years but has remained in the ma
- Page 30 and 31: 30 clergy, pastoral counselors asso
- Page 32 and 33: 32 MARSHA: “What do you mean, tru
- Page 34 and 35: 34 communication and conflict manag
- Page 36 and 37: 36 had Internet access. 49 In addit
- Page 38 and 39: 38 Marriage education programs have
- Page 40 and 41: 40 n Innovating and offering “dis
- Page 42 and 43: 42 3. MODEL LEGISLATION FOR THE SEC
- Page 44 and 45: 44 A BILL ESTABLISHING A CENTER TO
- Page 46 and 47: 46 o I am experiencing an emergency
- Page 48 and 49: 48 education program is responsible
- Page 50 and 51: 50 justice leah Ward Sears was the
- Page 52 and 53: 52 divorce was determined by multip
- Page 54 and 55: 54 24. Frank F. Furstenberg, Jr., a
- Page 56 and 57: 56 42. Susan L. Pollet and Melissa
- Page 58: 58 61. More on “hopeful spouse co
a data set that has followed a group of continuously married individuals for<br />
twenty years (the Marital Stability over the Life Course Study), the researchers<br />
found that about one-third of married people who had ever reported low<br />
marital happiness later on experienced a turnaround. In other words, about<br />
one-third of unhappy marriages recovered. 22 It is interesting that this figure is<br />
similar <strong>to</strong> the 30 percent of divorcing parents who expressed an interest in reconciliation<br />
that the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project revealed.<br />
Overall, an intriguing and growing body of research is suggesting that most<br />
couples who divorce have problems that are not much different from those<br />
who stay married, that unhappy marriages can experience turnarounds, and<br />
that even well in<strong>to</strong> the process a significant minority of those divorcing are<br />
interested in exploring the option of reconciliation. Together, the research suggests<br />
that it is not only possible but wise for the state <strong>to</strong> help distressed couples<br />
when possible <strong>to</strong> avoid divorce.<br />
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? The research findings presented in this report clearly<br />
suggest that <strong>to</strong>day’s very high U.S. divorce rate is not only costly <strong>to</strong> taxpayers,<br />
it is not only harmful <strong>to</strong> children, it is also, <strong>to</strong> a degree that we are only now<br />
understanding, preventable.<br />
19
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