Divorce is a major social problem in the United States. Simple problems within a family that could be solved are ending a marriage because it is the easy way out. In the end of many divorces are left the most important part, the children. Divorces ruin families and ruin the lives of the people involved. It is believed that they can be avoided, but it will take hard work from both people involved. As divorce rates are rising in America, there are many different viewpoints to why this is occurring. The three most represented views are that of symbolic interactionists, functionalists, and conflict theorists.
Symbolic Interactionists
Symbolic Interactionists look at marriage and divorce by analyzing the symbols that make up the situation. When a marriage is created, there used to be set precedents to what was expected of each spouse, but in today’s world the specific roles are fading. A wife is no longer expected to be a homemaker. Instead of taking care of the children, the house, and her husband, women entered the working world. All of these duties have now become a shared role between husband and wife.
When a person finds “true love” then marriage may seem like the best option. Although, many find out after the vows it is not what they expected. Marriage is thought to be “fun” and “enjoyable”, but it is not always like this. Some do not understand that it is not just a good time, but that it is hard work and takes dedication. Many are not willing to put worth the effort, which puts a lot of anxiety on the family.
In today’s society, parenting is a daunting task. In the past, it was acceptable to have your child go to work at a very young age, but that is not acceptable today. Also, children are staying home longer, such as until after high school or even after college. It is now normal for young people to lean on their parents for many more years than what used to be allowed.
All of these changes to a marriage cause stress, which in the end leads to divorce. The expectations in a marriage have changed and many couples cannot seem to find a happy medium with these changes. These different factors put pressure and strain on a marriage, which can easily cause it all to fall apart. Symbolic interactionists believe that with all of these issues combined will easily lead to a divorce.
Functionalist
Functionalists believe that a marriage is made up of many different functions that each member is dependent on. These functions create a strong marriage and a strong family, but as our world is changing so are these functions. They are fading into something completely different, which is potentially ruining many marriages.
One of these functions is government involvement in raising a child. Since laws have been passed to where it is illegal to not send your child to school, parents lost some control. Parents could deal with many legal repercussions for not obeying the government. Since they are not in charge of what their child does on a daily basis, this function of their life was partially eliminated.
Another function that has been lost is the sexuality of the family. The parents do not have as much control over what their children engage in physically with another person. Also birth control and abortions are easily attained now without parental consent. Being in charge and directing the children are now much more important but difficult at the same time. The world is more open and promiscuous now then it was in the past. Some parents are having a hard time keeping up with the changing times of today and protecting their children from inappropriate behavior.
In society today, everyone is extremely dependent on technology. It is now considered “boring” to stay at home a night on the weekend. With so many activities such as movies, bowling, and partying happening, it is difficult for parents to entertain their children at home. It was easier in the past since these technologies did not exist as much and more simple things entertained people. In these circumstances, parents are losing the function of spending time with their children because they are unable to entertain them.
Functionalists think that with all of these functions fading fast within today’s modern families, there is no surprise the divorce rate is as high as it is. A family is not strong when these common functions are nonexistent. Bonds between members of a family hold everything together but when those bonds are broken divorce is the simple answer.
Conflict Theorists
Conflict theorists’ ideas are that divorce is the source from many marital problems. These problems are due to the changing in the society. In the past, men had complete control of the marriage relationship. The man would work and bring home the paycheck, while the women was in charge of taking care of the children, the housework, and fulfilling all of her husband’s needs. But times have changed and it is causing problems.
In the past, men were allowed to bet their wives if something did not go their way or if they were not satisfied. It is still legal for men in other countries to beat their wives; it is rather their duty so that their wife stays in line. But today such things are not permitted. Men could have legal repercussions for threatening to hurt their wife. The law is not as lenient as it used to be because women are seen as equal to a man now.
Another struggle is that women are in the working world today. Many women are working wives and mothers, but are still expected to take care of the home and children like they used to. Men, in the past, would not help at home with cleaning and cooking because they worked all day long and were tired. But now women are working too and they need help with the household chores. Men are expected to share the household responsibilities and do their part. Even though, as each decade passes men are getting better at helping, it is still not where it needs to be and is causing issues in the marriage.
Conflict theorists believe that women and men are having a hard time finding the proper balance within their lives. Also, since women are working they do not depend financially as much on their husbands. Because of this they do not feel obligated to stay in a marriage that does not make them as happy as they want to be. The divorce rate is as high as it is because women are progressing in the work world and are advancing in the fight to have equality in a marriage.
References
Henslin, J. M. (2011). The Changing Family. In Social Problems: A Down-To-Earth Approach (10th ed., pp. 341-376).
Pearson. Nock, S. L., Wright, J. D., & Sanchez, L. (1999, May/June). America's Divorce Problem. Social Science and Public Policy, 43-52.
Coontz, S. (2006). The Origins of Modern Divorce. Family Process, 46(1), 7-15.
McManus, M., & McManus, H. (2003). How to Create an America That Saves Marriages. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 31(3), 196-207.
Hilfer, T. (2003). Marriage and Divorce in America. American Literary History, 15(3), 592-602.
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