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Divorce Rate in America |
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Nowadays, divorce is one of the most serious social problems
that American society is currently facing. In actuality the
divorce rate is constantly growing and in present days it
is extremely high this is why it is extremely important to
find out the main factors contributing to the growth of the
divorce rate and possible solutions of the problem.
First of all, it is necessary to briefly describe the current
situation in the US. In this respect, it should be said that
nowadays the divorce rate is unparallel and according to specialists
(Levinger, Cherlin) it has already over passed 50%. Obviously,
such a high level indicates at the fact that the problem of
divorce is really serious and some solution of this problem
is needed because divorce plays a very significant role in
the life of society, family and each individual. To put it
more precisely, in the social scale, the high divorce rate
deteriorates dramatically the demographic situation within
the country since often it prevents people from bearing children.
This is why nowadays it is practically a norm when there is
only one children in a family and the main reason is divorce
because it makes family an extremely unstable institution.
Furthermore, families also are often ruined by divorces because
children are simply separated from one of the parents and
cannot communicate normally as they could do if their parents
were still married. Naturally, such a situation causes a number
of personal problems of children as well as parents. These
problems are basically of psychological character but still
they deteriorate the life of people.
At the same time, it should be pointed out that divorce rate
may vary depending on the region, level of income, race, religious
beliefs, or lack of them, etc. For instance, it is noteworthy
that the Bible Belt states have some of the highest divorce
rate in the US (Belli and Krantzler 2000). Also, families
which income is lower than $25,000 are more likely to divorce
within ten years of marriage, regardless region, religious
beliefs, etc. compared to couples with higher income (Emery
1998). As for the difference in the divorce rate by race,
it should be pointed out that for white population the rate
is 9,8%, 11,3% for African-Americans, and 7,6% for Hispanics
(Thompson 2002).
On analysing, the statistical data, it is possible to make
certain conclusions as for the main causes of divorces. In
this respect, it is necessary to take into consideration such
a factor as the period of time people are married because
the longer a couple is married the less likelihood that it
will end in divorce. Nonetheless, there are still some factors
that influence the divorce rate. To put it more precisely,
there are several factors. One of them is the level of income,
which is very important factor that influences the divorce
rate. For instance, an annual household income over $50,000
cannot certainly prevent a couple from divorce but it may
reduce its probability by 30% (Wallerstein 2001).
Furthermore, children are also a very important factor that
both parents traditionally take into consideration when they
take a decision concerning divorce. For instance, if a couple
has a baby seven months or more after marriage it will decrease
its chances to divorce by 24% (Levinger 1999). Also a very
important role in the increase of divorce rate plays socio-economic
instability. It is also necessary to take into consideration
the level of income of spouses, since the higher income of
a wife decrease the probability of divorce, as well as it
is necessary to remember about cultural and educational level
of spouses, their job, way of life, and many other factors.
As a result, it is possible to suggest certain solutions of
the problem of high divorce rate. It is obvious that one of
the most crucial factors contributing to the high divorce
rate is socio-economic situation which obviously has to be
improved, especially for those categories which are at the
highest risk of divorce. In such a situation the higher divorce
rate in African-American families than in white families is
also basically caused by socio-economic differences between
these racial groups. Naturally, it is impossible to force
couple to remain married with socio-economic tools only. This
is why it is very important to pay a particular attention
to cultural and moral education of people with the help of
some cultural or educational program. Anyway, people should
come psychologically prepared to the decision to marry. Probably,
it worth to organize some psychological courses for couples
that are going to marry. In fact, it is even possible to borrow
the experience of the preparation of parents to bearing children
to the decision to marry or divorce.
Thus, in conclusion, it is possible to say that, despite the
complexity of the problem, the growth of the divorce rate
in America should be stopped and possibly decreased. Naturally,
it is difficult to do but the solutions of the problem may
be and have to be found.
Bibliography:
1. Belli, Melvin, and Krantzler, Mel, Divorcing (St. Martin's
Press 2000).
2. Cherlin, Andrew J., Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage (Harvard
Univ. Press 2001).
3. Emery, Robert E., Marriage, Divorce and Children's Adjustment
(Sage Bks. 1998).
4. Levinger, George, et al, eds., Divorce and Separation:
Context, Causes, and Consequences (Basic Bks. 1999).
5. Thompson, Kendrick S., The Divorce Profile (R&E Res.
Assoc. 2002).
6. Wallerstein, Judith S., Surviving the Breakup: How Parents
and Children Cope with Divorce (Basic Bks. 2001).
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