Divorce and Remarriage at Middle Age and Beyond

Abstract

Recent societal trends have led to simpler divorces, a growing acceptance of divorce, greater personal freedom, and increased gainful employment for women, as well as a general weakening of institutional norms. The occurrence of divorce at mid-life brings losses and adjustments. Divorce at older ages causes similar losses and adjustments, as well as others associated with old age. In addition, the elderly experience divorce indirectly through the divorces of their children. Beyond divorce or widowhood, there are problems associated with remarriage that arise from age, previous marital status, sex ratios, geographic residence, and kinship relationships. The success or failure of a second marriage depends on many factors and is affected by a lack of institutionalized norms fitting the situation. As expectations change regarding the permanency of marriage, and as the family adapts to changes in its structure, desirable goals will include the establishment of normative behavior patterns for the transitions from married, to divorced or widowed, to remarried; clarification of roles and relationships; ways of easing role transitions; and help in the preservation of long-term marital relationships.