Essay About African Americans And Younger Couples

Factors Associated with Divorce
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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DIVORCE
Research shows there are 4 major factors that increase the likelihood of divorce
A. Divorce Caused By Age At Marriage
1. As age when married decreases, likelihood of divorce increases
– Couples under the age of 18 are much more likely to divorce than couples
who marry at any later age
2. Younger Couples Are:
– Unprepared for marriage
– Unaware of what is expected of them
– Not mature enough to handle responsibilities
3. Drawbacks
– The younger you are the less dating experience youve had
– Not sure what you really value in a partner
– Being young they may get bored and prefer a new marriage as opposed to
their current one
– Young couples have few reasons not to divorce
– May have married without parents permission, so divorce may be
supported by family
– Likely do not have property together
4. Marrying due to pregnancy
– Having a child before or early in marriage
– Gives couple little time to adjust to each other and demands of marriage
– May limit the parents educational and occupational goals
– Increases financial strain on relationship
B. Race
1. Studies show African Americans have higher divorce rates than Whites or Latinos
– African Americans also much more likely to remain in a “separated” status
– Their greater likelihood of being unemployed and living in poverty
contribute to marital disruption
African American women are:
– Less likely to marry
– More likely to separate or divorce
– Less likely to remarry
On average African American women spend only about half the amount of
time