Why Separation And Divorce Are Changing At This Time
Separation And Divorce
Separation and divorce have been on the increase in Western society for over half a century, and the law has never been able to keep pace with the trends in society. In the most repressive countries of all, divorce has not even been legal. Once a married couple had separated, they were effectively banned for life from ever marrying again. Naturally, many sought relief from these laws by instigating divorces in foreign countries. Even in the less repressive regimes, it was still necessary to prove fault in the other party before you could have the marriage dissolved and move on.
The divorce rates have been increasing constantly throughout the past fifty years, but it is important to see this in context. Obviously, in countries where divorce was prohibited, there were no divorce figures until this situation changed. Many people who were trapped in unhappy marriages for decades were suddenly able to escape. The same applies to a slightly lesser degree in the countries which now accept no fault divorce. The numbers are artificially inflated by couples divorcing now who would have liked to divorce many years ago.
Once a separation has occurred, someone needs to instigate formal divorce proceedings if either party is ever going to be able to marry again. The procedure which needs to be followed varies from one jurisdiction to the next, and there are many places which still have the old restrictive laws in place. In the USA, all fifty states have now adopted the no fault divorce laws, so divorce can happen relatively quickly following separation if both parties agree to it.
The one area where there has been more misinformation than any other is in the effects that divorce has on children. Yes, children are better off if they are able to grow up in a stable family home, but if this is not going to happen there is no point in prolonging problems any more than you have to. The vast majority of children cope with the actual divorce relatively well, and many are actually relieved once they can live in a home without the same stifling atmosphere.
Even if both parties agree on the best outcome from the existing situation, it is still best to go through the process of separation and divorce with expert advice. A trained mediator or counselor can even help to save a marriage, so long as both parties are willing to try. If you are sure you have gone beyond that stage, a mediator can at least help you end the marriage as painlessly as possible. If yours in a suitable case for a quick no fault divorce, you can submit the forms over the Internet. The web can also be a valuable source of advice surrounding separation and divorce.
