Question 1

Divorce rates in the United States were higher in 2000 than at any time since records were kept.

Accepted Answer

While divorce rates in the United States have increased over time, they actually peaked in the early 1980s and have been declining since then. Therefore, divorce rates in 2000 were not at an all-time high.

Question 2

In the United States, half of all first marriages have disrupted due to separation or divorce by the fifth year.

Accepted Answer

According to various studies and statistics, including those from the American Psychological Association, around 40-50% of first marriages in the United States end in divorce, but this rate is not reached by the fifth year; it typically takes a longer period for this percentage to be realized.

Question 3

Informal separation is simply another term for desertion.

Accepted Answer

Informal separation refers to a situation where a couple is still legally married but living apart, whereas desertion is when one spouse abandons the other without justification or consent. They are not the same thing.

Question 4

The divorce data reported by the National Vital Statistics Division are highly accurate since they are based on a 100 percent count of all divorces recorded in the United States each year.

Accepted Answer

The National Vital Statistics Division does not collect a 100 percent count of all divorces in the United States each year; instead, divorce statistics are estimated based on reports from states that collect and provide this data, and not all states report divorce statistics.

Question 5

In spite of their disapproval of divorce, Protestant fundamentalists have high dissolution rates.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. While Protestant fundamentalists may disapprove of divorce, studies have shown that they have higher rates of divorce than other religious groups. This may be attributed to factors such as early marriage, low levels of education, and financial stress.

Question 6

Studies suggest that divorcing mothers are faring much better economically under the no-fault system in comparison to the former adversary system.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the no-fault divorce system does not necessarily improve the economic situation of divorcing mothers compared to the adversary system, as it often leads to less favorable financial settlements.

Question 7

Generally, divorce rates decline in times of economic depression and rise during time of prosperity.

Accepted Answer

During economic depressions, couples might delay or avoid divorce due to financial constraints and uncertainties, whereas in times of prosperity, individuals may feel more financially secure to undertake the costs and changes associated with divorce.

Question 8

The presence of children not only delays divorce, it prevents it as well.

Accepted Answer

While the presence of children can sometimes delay the decision to divorce due to concerns about their well-being, it does not universally prevent divorce. Many couples still choose to divorce despite having children, for various reasons including irreconcilable differences, abuse, or unhappiness.

Question 9

Marital separation always leads to divorce.

Accepted Answer

Marital separation does not always lead to divorce. Some couples may use separation as a way to work on their issues and eventually reconcile, while others may choose to legally separate without filing for divorce.

Question 10

The second, third, and fourth years of marriage appear to be the modal years for divorce.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the second, third, and fourth years of marriage have the highest rates of divorce, making them the modal years for divorce.

Question 11

An increase in marital alternatives appears to be more important than attitudinal factors in hastening the transition to divorce.

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, an increase in marital alternatives is more important than attitudinal factors in speeding up the process of divorce. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 12

With some exceptions, such as among professional women, the divorce rate tends to go up as socioeconomic level goes down.

Accepted Answer

Generally, research has shown that divorce rates are higher among individuals with lower levels of education and income. However, it's important to note that there are exceptions, such as among professional women who may have higher divorce rates due to career and financial independence.

Question 13

The United States currently has the highest divorce rate in the world.

Accepted Answer

While the United States does have a high divorce rate, it is not the highest in the world. There are several countries, including Russia, Belarus, and Portugal, that have higher divorce rates than the United States.

Question 14

National data suggest that more than one-fourth of divorced women fall into poverty for at least some time during the first five years after divorce while men who divorce are immediately better off financially.

Accepted Answer

National data from various sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, demonstrate that women are more likely to face financial hardship after a divorce compared to men, with more than one-fourth of divorced women falling into poverty for at least some time during the first five years after divorce. In contrast, men who divorce often experience an immediate improvement in their finances.

Question 15

Divorce rates, by region of the United States, are lowest in the south.

Accepted Answer

Divorce rates in the South are actually among the highest in the United States, partly due to factors such as lower average ages at marriage and lower income levels, which are statistically associated with higher divorce rates.

Question 16

Divorce by agreement, where both husband and wife desire divorce, is a simple procedure and without cost to the applicants in China.

Accepted Answer

According to the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China, divorce by agreement where both husband and wife desire divorce is a simple procedure and without cost to the applicants.

Question 17

The official law of Islam and of Judaism grants free power of the husband to terminate his marriage by repudiation of the wife.

Accepted Answer

Both Islamic and Jewish law allow the husband to unilaterally terminate his marriage through repudiation. This practice is known as talaq in Islam and get in Judaism.

Question 18

Evidence suggests an increase in mid-life divorce as couples experience a mid-life crisis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evidence suggests an increase in mid-life divorce...

Question 19

Emile Durkheim theorized that societies with lower degrees of social integration typically share higher rates of suicide.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's theory of suicide posits that social integration plays a significant role in suicide rates. In his research comparing suicide rates across various societies, Durkheim found that those societies with lower levels of social integration (such as weaker ties between community members, greater individualism, and weaker social norms and values) tended to have higher rates of suicide.

Question 20

Distressed neighborhoods, rather than disrupting existing marriages among couples with children, increases the prevalence of single parent families and out-of-wedlock childbearing.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that living in distressed neighborhoods may increase the likelihood of single-parent families and out-of-wedlock childbearing, rather than disrupting existing marriages among couples with children. This could be due to various factors such as economic stress, lack of access to resources, and social disorganization.

Quiz 14: Divorce and Remarriage