Questions about Divorce

1. Questions about Divorce An opportunity to look at some facts about divorce.

2. Questions about Divorce What is the average number of divorces as a percent of marriage in Missouri between 1998 �2000? A. 31.74 % B. 56.84% C. 98.24% The state wide average number of divorces as a percent of marriages for this period is 56.84%. The low number is the percent for St Louis City and the high number is for Dunklin County (Southeast border with Arkansas). Source vital Statistics MO Department of Health & Senior Services. Over the past 50 years (1949-2000) the marriage rate in Missouri has been quite stable. In 1949 the marriage rate was 8.8 marriages for every 1,000 Missourians. This climbed slowly for the next three decades reaching the highest rate in 1980 when there were 11.1 marriages for every 1,000 Missourians. The baby boom generation that entered young adulthood in the 1960s and 1970s probably accounts for the rise in the number of marriages during this period. Since 1980, the marriage rate has declined at slow pace back to levels in the 1950s. In 2000 there were 43,665 marriages in Missouri that results in a rate of 7.8 marriages for every 1,000 Missourians. The marriage rate in Missouri is quite similar to the marriage rate across the United States. From missourifamilies.orgThe state wide average number of divorces as a percent of marriages for this period is 56.84%. The low number is the percent for St Louis City and the high number is for Dunklin County (Southeast border with Arkansas). Source vital Statistics MO Department of Health & Senior Services. Over the past 50 years (1949-2000) the marriage rate in Missouri has been quite stable. In 1949 the marriage rate was 8.8 marriages for every 1,000 Missourians. This climbed slowly for the next three decades reaching the highest rate in 1980 when there were 11.1 marriages for every 1,000 Missourians. The baby boom generation that entered young adulthood in the 1960s and 1970s probably accounts for the rise in the number of marriages during this period. Since 1980, the marriage rate has declined at slow pace back to levels in the 1950s. In 2000 there were 43,665 marriages in Missouri that results in a rate of 7.8 marriages for every 1,000 Missourians. The marriage rate in Missouri is quite similar to the marriage rate across the United States. From missourifamilies.org

3. Questions about Divorce In 2000, 47.4% of marriages in Missouri were the first for the bride and groom. What percent of marriages was a re-marriage for each? A. 15.5% B. 18.6% C. 23.4% The answer is 23.4%. In 1998, there were 2,244,000 marriages in the United States, and 1,135,000 divorces and annulments. Of the marriages, only 54.1% were the first marriage for the bride and groom, with 23.4% being a re-marriage for each. (Source: U. S. National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics of the United States, annual; National Vital Statistics Report [NVSR] [formerly Monthly Vital Statistics Report]; and unpublished data, in the U. S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2000 [120th edition] Washington, DC, 1999, p. 101.) The answer is 23.4%. In 1998, there were 2,244,000 marriages in the United States, and 1,135,000 divorces and annulments. Of the marriages, only 54.1% were the first marriage for the bride and groom, with 23.4% being a re-marriage for each. (Source: U. S. National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics of the United States, annual; National Vital Statistics Report [NVSR] [formerly Monthly Vital Statistics Report]; and unpublished data, in the U. S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2000 [120th edition] Washington, DC, 1999, p. 101.)

4. Questions about Divorce Which person is more likely to be economically disadvantaged after divorce? A. Man B. Woman Women generally are more economically disadvantaged after a divorce. Usually their income is less; often they struggle to maintain the family home on their salary. Women often fall into poverty (1 in 4) after a divorce. Typically child support (paid by 3 of 4 fathers) is not sufficient to meet the costs of rearing children. Women generally are more economically disadvantaged after a divorce. Usually their income is less; often they struggle to maintain the family home on their salary. Women often fall into poverty (1 in 4) after a divorce. Typically child support (paid by 3 of 4 fathers) is not sufficient to meet the costs of rearing children.

5. Questions about Divorce Children often feel that the divorce is: A.The child�s fault for mis-behavior B.Because the child favors one parent C.Because kids cost too much All of these are reasons that children give for their parents divorce. Children feel that the divorce is somehow their fault and that they might be able to �fix it�. They sometimes expend great amounts of energy trying to be good or get their parents back together.All of these are reasons that children give for their parents divorce. Children feel that the divorce is somehow their fault and that they might be able to �fix it�. They sometimes expend great amounts of energy trying to be good or get their parents back together.

6. Questions about Divorce What is the percent of divorced couples who co-operate in co-parenting? A. 25% B. 15% C. 10% B. 25% of parents co-operate. This leaves 75% who do not have contact or who have conflict within their efforts to co-parent. The reason we concern ourselves with this fact is that the parents� conflict interferes with their parenting. The less conflict they have the better able they are to support the child(ren) emotionally and socially. Source Divorce and Single Parenting Mark A Fine, University of MO.B. 25% of parents co-operate. This leaves 75% who do not have contact or who have conflict within their efforts to co-parent. The reason we concern ourselves with this fact is that the parents� conflict interferes with their parenting. The less conflict they have the better able they are to support the child(ren) emotionally and socially. Source Divorce and Single Parenting Mark A Fine, University of MO.

7. Questions about Divorce Children may regress developmentally when their parents divorce. A. True B. False True. Often children do regress during their parents divorce. Children need the comforts of routine; this is a time of change. Children suffer emotional problems for one to two years during the period before the divorce occurs and immediately following the separation and divorce. The single most important factor for children�s adjustment is the continued relationship with both parents.True. Often children do regress during their parents divorce. Children need the comforts of routine; this is a time of change. Children suffer emotional problems for one to two years during the period before the divorce occurs and immediately following the separation and divorce. The single most important factor for children�s adjustment is the continued relationship with both parents.

8. Questions about Divorce Parental divorce has long term adverse consequences on children�s well-being and socioemotional development. A. True B. False True and False! While some children suffer consequences such as loss of income as a result of living is a single parent home, most children are resilient and adapt to their parents divorce. Especially when they get support from both of their parents. True and False! While some children suffer consequences such as loss of income as a result of living is a single parent home, most children are resilient and adapt to their parents divorce. Especially when they get support from both of their parents.

9. Questions about Divorce The single most important factor for children�s adjustment is the continued relationship with both parents. A. True B. False True! We cannot emphasize enough that this is the major determination of how a child copes with the dissolution of the marriage of their parents. Our responsibility within the school system is to support these relationships for the child.True! We cannot emphasize enough that this is the major determination of how a child copes with the dissolution of the marriage of their parents. Our responsibility within the school system is to support these relationships for the child.

10. Questions about Divorce For more information contact: www.missourifamilies.org University Outreach & Extension Office Kim Thalhuber, State Specialist Human Development & Family Studies University of Missouri Columbia MO