The Consequences of Divorce for Attitudes Toward Divorce and Gender Roles

Abstract

A national sample of adults was used to examine the consequences of divorce (both in one's family of origin and in one's own marriage) for attitudes toward divorce and gender roles. Individuals from divorced families of origin revealed more positive attitudes toward divorce than did those who grew up in happy intact families. Similarly, those who recalled their parents' marriage as being unhappy had relatively liberal views on divorce. Experience with divorce in adulthood was also related to attitudes; longitudinal data revealed that individuals who divorced between 1980 and 1988 subsequently adopted more favorable views toward divorce. Egalitarian views of gender roles were not related to parental divorce or parental marital unhappiness. Individuals divorced prior to 1980 were relatively liberal in their gender role beliefs, but divorce between 1980 and 1988 was not associated with changes in attitudes.