12: Divorce and Remarriage
- Page ID
- 298190
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\ket}[1]{\left| #1 \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\left< #1 \right|}\)
\(\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2} \right| \left. #2 \vphantom{#1} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\braopket}[3]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2}\vphantom{#3} \right| #2 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#3} \left| #3 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#2} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\qmvec}[1]{\mathbf{\vec{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\op}[1]{\hat{\mathbf{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\langle #1 \rangle}\)
\(\newcommand{\dfn}[1]{\emph{\textbf{#1}}}\)
- 12.1: Learning Objectives
- This page outlines the learning objectives for the chapter "Divorce and Remarriage".
- 12.2: Introduction
- This page provides a brief introduction to the chapter “Divorce and Remarriage” and highlights the key topics that will be explored.
- 12.3: Divorce and the Legal Process
- This page analyzes the legal process of divorce, addressing its societal implications regarding individual rights, gender equality, and the influence of government and religion. It defines divorce as the legal end of marriage, covering aspects like spousal support and custody.
- 12.4: Measuring Divorce
- This page explains various measures of divorce rates, highlighting the significance of understanding statistical inclusivity. It details the crude divorce rate, which may skew trends by including non-married individuals, and the refined divorce rate, which focuses on married individuals for clearer insights. Additionally, it introduces cohort divorce estimates for long-term predictions and notes limitations in U.S. divorce data due to federal reporting gaps.
- 12.5: A Brief History of U.S. Divorce Trends
- This page discusses the fluctuating U.S. divorce rates influenced by various factors such as economic, legal, and cultural changes. Notable increases occurred during WWII and in the 1960s-70s, linked to evolving gender roles and public attitudes. Recently, divorce rates have declined, attributed to later marriages and higher education.
- 12.6: Social Patterns in Divorce
- This page discusses the varied divorce rates in the U.S., influenced by region, age, education, race, and marital history. The South has the highest rates, with higher education linked to lower rates. Black Americans face the greatest risk of divorce, while Asian Americans have the least. The trend of "gray divorce" among older adults reflects evolving marital expectations.
- 12.7: Why Marriages End—Common Pathways to Divorce
- This page explores the multifaceted causes of divorce, emphasizing that no single factor leads to marital breakdown. Key contributors include infidelity, violence, decreased satisfaction, midlife changes, financial issues, addiction, and parenting stress, all of which can decrease trust and heighten conflict.
- 12.8: Child Custody, Parenting Plans, and Co-Parenting
- This page covers child custody, detailing the legal rights of parents after separation or divorce, including definitions of physical and legal custody and the roles of custodial versus noncustodial parents. It emphasizes the U.S. legal framework that prioritizes the child's best interests in custody matters and discusses the evolving language regarding parenting plans, advocating for cooperative co-parenting to enhance children's well-being during family transitions.
- 12.9: The Impact of Divorce
- This page discusses the extensive impact of divorce on family dynamics, emphasizing financial and psychological effects on adults and children. Women generally experience more economic challenges, while psychological outcomes vary—some individuals may find relief in ending a troubled marriage. Children's adjustment depends on the family environment, with supportive relationships and routines helping to ease difficulties.
- 12.10: Remarriage, Repartnering, and Blended Families
- This page addresses remarriage and blended families, noting that divorce and widowhood do not halt family formation. It highlights the prevalence of new partnerships and the emergence of blended families, which can create complex dynamics and increased stress. However, later-life remarriage may enhance emotional well-being by offering support after personal losses. Ultimately, the page emphasizes the fluidity of family structures, depicting them as continuously evolving rather than fixed.
- 12.11: Conclusion
- This page provides concluding remarks for the chapter “Divorce and Remarriage” and highlights the key ideas and themes covered throughout the chapter.
Acknowledgments
I am very grateful to Chabot College student Rhylee Jay Inducta for reviewing this chapter draft and providing thoughtful feedback from a student perspective.
Thumbnail Attribution
Chapter header image: Kelly Sikkema, photo of broken heart hanging on wire, via Unsplash. Used under the Unsplash License.


