Before I began compiling this portfolio, I had not done too much research into the topic of divorce and its effect on children. For the sake of our posterity, I hoped to learn that my fears about the path that America was following of abandoning the nuclear family was exaggerated. I hoped to learn that the beliefs and ideals of the current generation would hint at a future in which America’s reliance on the nuclear family was restored rather than diminished.
But I regret to inform you that my fears have been confirmed…
Based on the data I personally collected, the coming generations will continue to reflect the status of the nuclear family today. Studies show that couples who get married in their late thirty’s have a higher change of getting a divorce. They also support the fact that currently, more people want to get married at this age than earlier in history. Out of the 30 high-schoolers I surveyed, 33% responded that they would like to get married between the ages of 33-40, and 16.67% responded that they want to get married above the age of 41 (Original Artifact #8). Evidently, my data supports what these studies show, as half of the high-schoolers I surveyed said they would like to get married in their late thirty’s. In addition, studies indicate that couples who move in together before getting married have a higher chance of getting divorced. Out of the same 30 high-schoolers, a shocking 70% identified that they would move in with their future spouse before actually getting married. Both of these survey results reveal a future for America that seems to stay on the current path towards a complete dismissal of the role of the nuclear family.
The biggest I reason I believe divorce is bad for society is because of the negative implications it can inflict on the children of families. In a survey I conducted with a different set of 30 high-schoolers, 93.33% believed that children would be negatively affected by a divorce of the parents (Original Artifact #3). Out of the same sample, 86.67% believed that it was important for a child to grow up in a house with a mother and father figure. These two surveys make one thing clear: most people do in fact agree that divorce has negative impacts on children of the family.
But it creates an enigma. If there is a consensus about the impacts of divorce on children, then why do so many people get divorced? Have people become so selfish that they would put their own needs in front of that of their child’s?
I believe the reason for the high divorce rates is due to America’s overwhelming desire to solve problems as quickly as possible. If a couple were to get into a fight, there are two general ways to solve it. The first way is to talk it out and find a mutual solution, a potentially emotionally-draining process that could take days or even weeks. The second option is to simply get a divorce. With this option, there is no more fighting, there is an immediate solution, and each person can move on in their life. Upon first glance, the divorce clearly seems to be the easier option, and I believe this is why so many people get divorced. But if people were to learn more about the long-term effects it can cause for their children, I believe far less couples would get a divorce.
This is why I made this website: to fix America’s ignorance on this subject in an effort to change a tendency that has now become mainstream. I hope that you have learned as much from this portfolio as I have and I implore you to remember what you have learned from this website the next time you are faced with an important family decision.
Regards,
Ben
But I regret to inform you that my fears have been confirmed…
Based on the data I personally collected, the coming generations will continue to reflect the status of the nuclear family today. Studies show that couples who get married in their late thirty’s have a higher change of getting a divorce. They also support the fact that currently, more people want to get married at this age than earlier in history. Out of the 30 high-schoolers I surveyed, 33% responded that they would like to get married between the ages of 33-40, and 16.67% responded that they want to get married above the age of 41 (Original Artifact #8). Evidently, my data supports what these studies show, as half of the high-schoolers I surveyed said they would like to get married in their late thirty’s. In addition, studies indicate that couples who move in together before getting married have a higher chance of getting divorced. Out of the same 30 high-schoolers, a shocking 70% identified that they would move in with their future spouse before actually getting married. Both of these survey results reveal a future for America that seems to stay on the current path towards a complete dismissal of the role of the nuclear family.
The biggest I reason I believe divorce is bad for society is because of the negative implications it can inflict on the children of families. In a survey I conducted with a different set of 30 high-schoolers, 93.33% believed that children would be negatively affected by a divorce of the parents (Original Artifact #3). Out of the same sample, 86.67% believed that it was important for a child to grow up in a house with a mother and father figure. These two surveys make one thing clear: most people do in fact agree that divorce has negative impacts on children of the family.
But it creates an enigma. If there is a consensus about the impacts of divorce on children, then why do so many people get divorced? Have people become so selfish that they would put their own needs in front of that of their child’s?
I believe the reason for the high divorce rates is due to America’s overwhelming desire to solve problems as quickly as possible. If a couple were to get into a fight, there are two general ways to solve it. The first way is to talk it out and find a mutual solution, a potentially emotionally-draining process that could take days or even weeks. The second option is to simply get a divorce. With this option, there is no more fighting, there is an immediate solution, and each person can move on in their life. Upon first glance, the divorce clearly seems to be the easier option, and I believe this is why so many people get divorced. But if people were to learn more about the long-term effects it can cause for their children, I believe far less couples would get a divorce.
This is why I made this website: to fix America’s ignorance on this subject in an effort to change a tendency that has now become mainstream. I hope that you have learned as much from this portfolio as I have and I implore you to remember what you have learned from this website the next time you are faced with an important family decision.
Regards,
Ben