For my method of research, for my topic Marriage and family: Divorce, I decided to give a survey out. I want to know what people think about divorce. Why people think couples get divorce? What do people think is the most common reason people get divorce for? How many families does the person know that have divorced parents? Why is it that 50% of marriages end in divorce? Does the media play a roll in divorce? I plan on surveying about 20 people- 10 kids/teenagers and 10 adults. I think it will be interesting to get different perceptives from different age groups and see how they will respond to the questions.
In the New York Times, in the debate column there is a section called "When Divorce is a Family Affair". Vicki Larson debates with Beverly Willett about divorce and the effects on the kids. I focused on the section Salvaging a Marriage Saves children vs Trapped Parents aren't happy parents. In Larson section about Salvaging a Marriage, she talks about how parents should stay together for their kids even if they are having troubles because the effects it can have on the kids if their parents get a divorce can be bad. She feels, if couples stop trying in their marriages, then they are not teaching their children about good relationships and how will they be able to identify with their own potential instead of failures. In Willett's section about Trapped parents, she talks about parents staying together for their kids can be bad because the child can see through it and it doesn't show the kids a good relationship. She feels that parents do not do their child any favors by staying in a dysfunctional marriage.
I found it interesting to read about the two different opinion's about divorce and whether parents should stay together. I though both sides brought up good points about each side. I understand, why Larson wanted the parents to try to stick it out for the kids because of the negative effects divorce can have on the children. But I agree more with Willett opinion. Though children can suffer a lot from a divorce, I think its worse having the parents stick it out and argue with each other because the kids can see right through that, and i feel they would feel more guilty for their parents unhappiness since the parents are only staying together for them. I think staying together and arguing does show a good relationship and might give the children the wrong idea how a relationship works.
I read an article about how divorce is becoming contagious. Studies are showing that the feelings and actions of one person's divorce is influencing others, causing them to get a divorce. This idea of divorce's influencing other comes from the idea based on the theory of social contagion. One couple's decision to split from each other can influence whether your friend divorces her/his spouse. Also a couple's divorce can spread from one couple to another it can also affect the relationship two degrees of separation. The article says that friends have the greatest influenced over divorce but it can also be influenced by siblings, co workers and parents decisions as well. Why do divorces create a ripple effect? The studies show that a divorce friends will confide to a married friend, who then becomes aware of the benefits of a divorce. The article explains that it can influence the happiest couple and the couples who are thinking about divorcing from each other.
Today when people make decisions they usually consult with friends and family, or they can be influenced to do something based on what society is doing. I was very surprise that people were influenced to get a divorce because someone they know is getting a divorce A big decision like this, takes a lot of time and consideration, especially with kids, and they get a divorce because their friends are. I would thing that a couple would learn for their friends mistakes and see what went wrong and how to prevent that in their relationship, not be influenced by their decision. It was interesting to see that even divorce can become contagious in a group of friends and family.
