Life Course Factors Affecting DivorceMarital HappinessMarital happiness linked to divorce early years of marriageAlternatives & barriers linked to divorce later years of marriageOver time barriers increase & some remain unhappyAlternatives associated with marital stability, barriers associated with divorceMarital ProblemsWomen report emotional/relationship problems, infidelity, abuse, neglect of childrenMen report external factors/claim ignoranceHigh SES people report communication problems, incompatibility, change in valuesLow SES people report financial problems, physical abuse, employment problemsChildrenCouples less likely to divorce with 1 or 2 children than none at allWomen without children likely to divorceDoesn’t mean couples with children have have less marital problemsPerhaps troubled couples less likely to have idsPerhaps troubled couples only have 1 then stopSummary: Life Course Factors Affecting DivorceAge at time of marriageCohabitationRemarriageIntergenerational transmissionHigh-distress vs. Low-distress marriages endingMarital happinessMarital problemsChildrenProcess of SeparationHow couples separate (initiators & partners)Separation distressEstablishing a new identityDatingInitiators and PartnersInitiator is unhappy or dissatisfiedInitiator looks elsewhere for satisfactionInitiator decides to end relationshipPartners try to move onSeparation DistressSeparation distress: when one or both worry about loss of other partnerMore social support, less separation distressSeparation distress reduced by changing ones’ thoughts about the divorceEstablishing New IdentityTransition begins with divorce & lasts ~1 yearMake new decisionsNew parent rolesNew residencyDateRecovery begins 2nd year & lasts ~3 yearsMarriage distant memoryLess intense emotionsThere may be self-doubtMay take +3 yearsDatingDating can reduce depression & loneliness after divorceSexual activity after divorce symbol old marriage is overHard to meet other single peopleBeing a divorced man in 20s & 30s: less single womenBeing a divorced woman in 40s: less single menSummaryInitiators and partnersSeparation distressEstablishing a new identityDatingConsequences of DivorceEconomic consequencesGender differencesAlimony & child supportPsychological consequencesEconomic Consequences of DivorceNo-fault divorce laws put women at disadvantage Men’s earnings increase, women’s decreases after divorceBut, changes in child-support laws, women increased in wages, & higher educationAlimony and Child SupportAlimony: spousal support & can continue after deathChild-support: paid to custodial parent (usually mother) for child-rearingChild Support Enforcement Amendment 1984 & Family Support Act 1988 deduct money from non-custodial parents paychecksConsequences of not paying: loosing drivers license, frozen bank accountPsychological ConsequencesMore distress, poor self-concepts, low wellbeingGreat risk for mortality, depression 3 X higher for women, 9 X for menMore mental health problems in those exiting marriage (Wade & Pevalin, 2004)But, mental health problems before marriage endedSummary: Consequences of DivorceEconomic consequencesAlimony and child supportPsychological consequencesYoung Children and DivorceBreaking the newsCoping with divorceDevelopmental tasksAdjusting to divorceChild custodySingle-parent families, stepfamilies, binuclear families~1 in 4 families single-parent & ~1 in 2 kids stepchildrenNot all intact families are healthyLow discord marriages may be unsatisfyingEnding a “not good enough” marriage harms children interpersonally & psychologicallyTelling Children about DivorceChildren’s reactions depend on HOW news is told & their PERCEPTION of life after divorceBetter let kids know in advanceBetter for kids if ending high conflict marriageKids experience distress about moving & not seeing other parentDivorce is a process, series of events & life changesIn process, kids have different tasksYoung kids fare worse than older kids, boys do less well than girlsBoys have gendered styles of reactingBoys tend to live with their mothersBoys may not see fatherDivorce through the child’s eyesEasing the effects of divorceSix Developmental Tasks for Children (Wallerstein, 1983)Acknowledging parental separationDisengaging from parental conflictsResolving lossResolving anger and self-blameAccepting finality of divorceAchieving realistic expectations for later relationshipsYounger ChildrenFeeling guilt, anger, sorrowMarital discord makes it MORE difficult for kids to adjustMORE discord LESS tome for kidsPreschoolers blame themselves & beg parents to stay togetherAdolescentsPoor psychological well-being, academic difficulties, & behavior problems present BEFORE divorceSeem cool on outside but turmoil withinStrong peer support, attachment to school, parental monitoring reduce negative effectsHow Parents Help Children AdjustOpen discussionChildren have relationship with with noncustodial parentLack of hostility between divorced parentsGood emotional/psychological adjustment of custodial parentGood parenting skills, maintain order & stabilityCustodyUntil mid-1800’s, custody given to fathers. Then mothers got custody & fathers visitation.In 1970s, custody determined on gender neutral basisStill, ~80% of custody goes to mothers. Due to cultural beliefs.Homosexuality in past used to be grounds to deny custody. Now more based on parenting abilitySole, Split, Joint CustodySole Custody: child lives with one parent who makes all decisionsSplit Custody: both parents get physical custody for at least one childJoint Legal Custody: child lives with one parent but both make decisionsJoint Physical Custody: child lives with both parents, dividing time between two homesNoncustodial ParentsDeadbeat dads, deadbeat moms. None are accurate!Noncustodial fathers suffer from divorceDisneyland Dads: interact on weekends & give treatsDisappearing Dads: no contact dadsLess contact with noncustodial parent reduces affectionMandatory Visitation: should be rule rather than exceptionSummary: Young Children and DivorceBreaking the newsCoping with divorceDevelopmental tasksAdjusting to divorceChild custodyLong-term Consequences of DivorceLong-term distress for children5-years after divorce, kids struggle in school & experiencing depression10-years after, kids feel worry & anger. ~60% feel rejected from one or both parentsSummary: Adult Children with Divorced ParentsLong-term consequencesResults from study, titled: “Parental Divorce &