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Feb 23rd, 2004
Men and women are equally likely to be wounded by the breakup of a long-term marriage, claim experts, but older divorced men have better luck finding a new wife. However, some of the men interviewed said that their children have become estranged since the breakup of their marriages.
“Many 20-plus-year-olds, facing their parents' divorcing, wonder, ‘Why aren't people talking about us, and how we're facing the loss of everything we ever knew?'” said Karen Kahn Wilson, a psychologist specializing in helping ex-spouses cope with divorce. Wilson, herself twice divorced, also stated that some adult children may be concerned about their inheritance in light of the dissolution of their parents' marriages and the potential for new spouses.
One of the major reasons for the rising incidence of divorce among older couples, reflect the dilemmas faced by women who came of age in the middle of the feminist revolution. “My generation was caught in the middle between the women's liberation movement versus when you stayed home and took care of your children, “ said one 57 year old divorcee. “I chose to work full time, as a secretary, and I also had to do all the housework and raise two kids. It all fell on me.”
Issues Regarding Child Custody
Child custody rights may be shared by both parents or, primary child custody rights may be awarded to one parent or legal guardian. Since the 1970s the family court will award child custody rights contingent with the best interests of the child.
Child custody for fathers following a divorce is one of the most important aspects of a dissolving marriage. Throughout history the legal presumptions about child custody for fathers has changed significantly. Before the twentieth century children were regarded as the property of their father. Under common law, child custody for fathers was commonly awarded, as children were considered a father's rightful property. A major shift occurred after this period in history, as family courts came to favor mothers in child custody cases. It was presumed that under normal circumstances, children did better when placed in the sole custody of their mothers.