Adjusting to Family Changes

1
Adjusting to Family Changes

• Lesson 14

2
What to Know About Divorce

• Martial Conflict Resolution a process in which
  married partners identify their problems, agree
  upon solutions, and reestablish intimacy
• Outside intervention may be needed to help
  identify and resolve the problem. They may get
  help from a counselor, psychologist,
  psychiatrist, social worker, or a member of the
  clergy.

3
What Happens During Divorce

• About 43 of all first marriages end in divorce.
• Marital separation is a cessation of
  cohabitation between a married couple by mutual
  agreement or judicial decree
• Divorce is a legal way to end a marriage in
  which a judge or court decides the terms with
  respect to property, child custody, and spousal
  support.

4
Six Stages of Divorce

• Stage 1 the marriage deteriorates partners
  show less affection and begin detach from one
  another. This may last up to several years.
• Stage 2 One or both partners seek legal
  counsel. Two different options for ending a
  marriage annulment or dissolution.

5
Six Stages of Divorce cont

• Annulment is a legal way to end a marriage when
  it is decided that the marriage was not legally
  binding
• Dissolution is a legal way to end a marriage in
  which the marriage partners themselves decide the
  terms with respect to property, custody, and
  support.

6
Six Stages of Divorce cont

• Stage 3 issues regarding property and support
  payments are finalized Ex. Property house,
  furnishings, jewelry, cars, life insurance,
  investments
• Stage 4 issues of child custody visitation
  rights, and child support are negotiated, and the
  divorce is finalized
• Single custody an arrangement in which one
  parent keeps legal custody of child(ren)
• Custodial parent the parent with whom a child
  or children live and the parent who has legal
  right to make decisions about the health and
  well-being of a child(ren).

7
Six Stages of Divorce cont

• Joint custody is an arrangement in which both
  partners keep legal custody of a child(ren).
• Visitation rights guidelines set for the
  visitation of children by the parent who does not
  have custody
• Grandparents rights visitation rights
  grandparents rights with their grandchildren that
  courts have awarded grandparents when their sons
  or daughters marriage ends.

8
Six Stages of Divorce cont

• Stage 5 each of the partners establishes a new
  identity with family, friends, and co-workers
• Stage 6 each of the partners makes emotional
  adjustments to the lifestyle that results from
  being divorced. This stages affects both marriage
  partners and their children.

9
Effects of Divorce

• The effects of divorce is a major life change.
  Recognizing the effects that divorce might have
  helps teens make adjustments.
• Feeling a loss of control At least one of the
  married partners feels a divorce is for the best.
• Spending less time with parents divorced
  parents have additional responsibilities and less
  help in doing them.

10
Effects of Divorce cont

• Declining academic performance teens experience
  a decline in grades during and after the
  divorce. This is usually attributed to a lack of
  concentration.
• Grieving teens grieve the end of family life as
  they knew it. They may experience each of the
  five stages of grief at some point.

11
Effects of Divorce cont

• Acting out with harmful behaviors some respond
  to stress by acting out and they are at risk for
  becoming sexually active, abusing alcohol and
  other drugs, and developing delinquent behavior
• Resenting parental dating if a parent starts
  dating before or soon after a divorce, a teen may
  feel angry.
• Ex. Teen upset with parents boyfriend or
  girlfriend like they caused the breakup of the
  parents marriage

12
Effects of Divorce cont

• Having difficulties in relationships some teens
  have feelings of rejection and abandonment that
  affect their other relationships
• Ex. Girls want older boyfriend to be a father
  figure
• Having symptoms of anxiety and stress teens
  divorced parents might have symptoms of anxiety
  and stress that includes difficulty sleeping,
  feeling tired, and changes in appetite.