The Costs of Rising Divorce Rates in the US
SportsThe latest statistics state that approximately 60% of marriages end in divorce. Second or third marriages have only about 20% of couples staying happily married. A full eighty percent of repeat marriages end in divorce. More than a million children see their parents divorce each year, and half of the babies born this year will experience their parents’ divorce before their 18th birthday. While divorce is often necessary, it cannot be denied that rising divorce rates indicate social problems.
The reasons for the divorce
There are many reasons why couples seek a divorce. While only a few are listed on official divorce papers, the list of personal reasons is endless, and often there is no single cause for ending a marriage. One of the most popular reasons cited in a divorce is simply an “irreconcilable difference” without fault. While different states may use different terminology, it just means that two people just didn’t get along.
Other reasons for divorce include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and infidelity. Many consider these to be two of the few justifiable reasons for divorce. Dangerous relationships must be stopped immediately and if a couple refuses to remain faithful, the marriage is no longer the lasting commitment it was designed to be. In both cases, it is best to separate the children from the offending parent, but the same cannot be said for other forms of divorce.
The effects of divorce
Most divorce studies deal with children under the age of eighteen who are involved in the dissolution of the family. If a couple of children choose to divorce, they will only directly affect themselves. However, there is an indirect impact of any divorce, and that is that a divorce for any reason is common and acceptable. While there is no doubt that all forms of divorce are common, there is much debate about the acceptability of dissolution.
When parents divorce, studies have long shown that children bear the brunt. While many children grow up happy and healthy after a divorce, studies have shown that this is not always the norm. According to research children of divorced parents:
o Are more often involved in abuse or neglect.
o Have more health, behavioral, and emotional problems.
o Are more involved in crime and drug abuse
o Having more incidents of suicide.
o Perform poorly in reading, spelling, and math.
o Are more likely to repeat a grade, drop out, and not succeed in completing college degrees.
o They are likely to earn less as adults than children in intact families.
o They lose their virginity at a younger age.
o Are less likely to have children of their own.
o Are more likely to divorce as adults.
o They are more likely to grow up at a poverty level.
lasting complications
While there is no evidence that all children of divorce will be severely affected in some way, it is impossible to define the exact impact of divorce on any one child. As these millions of children grow up to marry and start families of their own, the costs and suffering of their childhood impact their decisions and lives as adults.
Divorce affects the entire society either directly or indirectly. Today there is little stigma associated with divorce. That is not to say that divorce is completely overlooked. Divorcing women or men in dangerous and unfaithful relationships are often praised for leaving an unhealthy environment and shielding their children from their impact. Those who choose to divorce because they simply don’t get along anymore are not frowned upon per se, but couples with children are often encouraged to find a solution to marriage rather than get a hasty divorce.
The long-term effects of more casual divorces are becoming more apparent, especially with regard to the children affected. While a divorce is not pretty and can have lasting impacts, in some cases it is simply the best option. Only you can know if it is indeed the best solution for your current situation.