DIVORCE

Effects of Divorce on Kids Single best predictor of teenage suicide More likely to become delinquent and drop out of school Associated with depression, aggressive behavior

Divorce stats 1 in 5 divorced fathers have not seen their children in the last year 53% divorce rate (2002)

Factors in Divorce Economic conditions Age (when married) Affordability (average divorce costs $15,000) Ideology of self Family history Divorce stigma

Who gets divorced? Women initiate divorce more than men Strong religious views lessen divorce rates Older people divorce less often Lower class people divorce more often

Remarriage 40% of current marriages are re-marriages Blended families: one or both of the marriage partners bring children into the marriage Re-trauma: children experience the psychological effects of the family break up when a new family is formed