Divorce in Early Adulthood

This article examines the period of early adulthood. In particular, it will focus on divorce. Divorce often takes place between heterosexual couples during these years. Although same-sex relationships should be considered, as well, I feel there may be a different dynamic to same-sex relationships due to the narrow mindedness of U.S. culture. Same-sex couples are exposed to a different set of psychological circumstances. At any rate, here I will examine divorce and separation from cognitive, biosocial, and psychosocial perspectives.

First, from a cognitive perspective, "Men are taught to be independent and tough, they take risks and avoid precautions, and this can get them into dangerous situations" (Berger, 2005, p. 417). Although women do often demonstrate these same qualities, it does seem men are much more prone to exhibit them to a greater degree in early adulthood. They are more prone to act out on such impulses. This sort of risky thinking can jeopardize a marriage. According to one study, "The way in which individuals think, feel, and behave in their current relationships is governed not only by causal factors and processes in their immediate surroundings; how they think, feel, and behave may also be impacted by the nature and course of their development histories." (Simpson, Collins, Tran, & Haydon, 2007, p. 365). In other words, if a male is taught to think as a risk-taker in adolescence, this, in turn, can create a risk-taker later in life. For example, it can lead to instances of promiscuity for males. Even more, perhaps, the fear of getting caught only strengthens the desire to be promiscuous. This is not to imply all young men are cognitive, risk-taking cheaters. Many may not be. However, when presented with the opportunity, they may be more prone to take risks than women.

Concerning a biosocial perspective, there does not seem to be any concrete evidence--that I have seen--that states couples divorce or stay together for biological reasons. Admittedly, it could be argued that couples do initially come together for these reasons (take the sex drive, for example), but it does not seem couples separate for these reasons. In this regard, it should be mentioned that not all cultures practice marriage in the same sense that we do. The nuclear family just isn't the norm, and not all cultures value it. Thus, a biological perspective concerning divorce would not be proper in this sense because, according to one anthropologist, "Many of the behavioral and attitudinal differences between the sexes emerge from culture rather than biology." (Kottak, 2004, p. 312). Not surprisingly, one psychological study even warns against such thinking when it asserts, "It is time to consider the costs of over inflated claims of gender differences. Arguably, they cause harm in numerous realms, including women's opportunities in the workplace, couple conflict and communication, and analyses of self-esteem problems among adolescents. Most important, these claims are not consistent with the scientific data." (Hyde, 2005, p. 590). This is not to say the socializing effects on gender should not be studied. It simply means they should not be taken as biological or psychological fact. In all, biology does play a role in our relations with others (remember some couples do part for reasons of infertility, etc.), but it is far more likely couples often separate for other reasons.

Finally, from a psychosocial perspective, "In the United States, almost one out of every two first marriages ends in divorce, the highest rate in the world" (Berger, 2005, p. 472). To understand why this is, one must realize the cultural mindset concerning marriage today. First, people tend to marry only within their homologous group. One study has stated, "People may be more likely to meet, spend time with, and thus become romantically involved with those who share a similar background, such as individuals with similar age, socioeconomic status, and education." (Luo & Klohnen, 2005, p. 306). In other words, people may marry those who are similar in such qualities as age, status, and education, but they do not always marry those who are compatible in more crucial areas. Surely, a couple may share the same quality of life before meeting. They may even share the same ethnicity or religious beliefs. Still, concerning emotional maturity, for example, both may be at very different levels. This, in turn, can create tension and difficulty--especially, if one person is more emotionally mature than the other. Second, and more pertinent to a high divorce rate, marriage is not often valued here as much as it is in other countries. This may be due to the fact that "couples spend less time together and interact less than couples once did" (Berger, 2005, p. 473). No longer do all wives simply stay at home and raise children. Times have changed. We are beyond that now, and, with this increased independence, there seems to be much less of a dependence on husbands for support.

To conclude: 1) Men are taught at a young age to be risk-takers. This can lead to promiscuity in a relationship. 2) Although it can be argued men and women often come together for biological reasons, there does not seem to be a correlation between biology and divorce. 3) Finally, from a psychosocial perspective, times have changed. Women have achieved a greater sense of autonomy today and no longer need to remain in a relationship. Concerning the studies presented here, they are taken from valued and reputable sources. I do not think they contradict the value you might place on your own relationships. More so, they seem to add to it.

References

Berger, Kathleen S. (2005). The Developing Person Through the Lifespan (Sixth Edition). New York: Worth.

Hyde, Janet S. (2005). The Gender Similarities Hypothesis. American Psychologist, 60(6), 581-592.

Kottak, Conrad P. (2004). Cultural Anthropology (Tenth Edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Luo, Shanhong., & Klohnen, Eva C. (2005). Assortative Mating and Marital Quality in Newlyweds: A Couple-Centered Approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88(2), 304-326.

Simpson, Jeffry A., Collins, Andrew W., Tran, SiSi., & Haydon, Katherine C. (2007). Attachment and the Experience and Expression of Emotions in Romantic Relationships: A Developmental Perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(2), 355-367.