Question 1

The poverty rate of single custodial mothers __________ between 1993 and 2007; although at 27 percent, it remains higher than that of custodial fathers.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that the poverty rate of single custodial mothers has dropped between 1993 and 2007. Therefore, option A, "dropped significantly," is the correct answer.

Question 2

What percentage of noncustodial fathers have at least weekly contact with their children?

Accepted Answer

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 35-60% of noncustodial fathers have at least weekly contact with their children. This indicates that a significant number of noncustodial fathers are involved in their children's lives and maintain regular contact with them.

Question 3

On average, in comparison with their counterparts from stable households, adult children of divorced parents

Accepted Answer

Adult children of divorced parents often have weaker ties to their parents due to the disruption and potential conflict that divorce can introduce into family relationships. This can affect the parent-child bond, leading to less closeness or weaker ties compared to families where the parents remain together.

Question 4

In looking at outcomes for divorced parents, Hetherington found that __________ percent of children were "coping reasonably well."

Accepted Answer

Hetherington found that 75-80 percent of children were "coping reasonably well" after their parents' divorce.

Question 5

In the United States, as part of a patriarchal system of law, divorced fathers were automatically given custody of their children until the __________ century.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, as part of a patriarchal system of law, divorced fathers were automatically given custody of their children until the mid-nineteenth century. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that women began to challenge this practice and advocate for mothers to have equal rights to custody.

Question 6

Judith Fisher has studied noncustodial mothers and urges certain behaviors and attitudes. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

Judith Fisher advocates for noncustodial mothers to be acknowledged and respected, to not be subjected to negative stereotypes, and to be sensitive to the demands of motherhood in society. She does not suggest that their choices should be limited, and rather encourages mothers to make well-thought-out decisions based on their individual circumstances. Additionally, Fisher argues against blaming mothers for custody decisions made by others, as this creates a culture of judgment and blame. Therefore, limitations on a mother's choice (Option C) is not one of Fisher's suggestions.

Question 7

In her investigations of non-custodial mothers, Judith Fisher made several recommendations. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

While Fisher did recommend rejecting societal demands on mothers, this was not specifically mentioned as a recommendation in relation to non-custodial mothers. The other options - negation of stereotypes, supportiveness of choice, and prohibition against blaming mothers - were all recommended by Fisher in her investigations of non-custodial mothers.

Question 8

Sociologist Catherine Ross compared levels of psychological distress for men and women in four different categories. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

The four categories in Ross's study were marrieds, cohabitors, those who were dating, and singles. "Those with multiple partners" was not one of the categories.

Question 9

In the __________ custody variation in joint custody agreements, both parents have the right to participate in important decisions and retain a symbolically important legal authority, with physical custody (that is, residential care of the child) going to just one parent.

Accepted Answer

Joint legal custody allows both parents to participate in important decisions related to the child's upbringing, even if physical custody is awarded to just one parent. The other options (A, C, and D) refer to different variations of joint physical custody.

Question 10

A study sponsored by the Justice Department reports that __________ children were abducted by family members in 1999.

Accepted Answer

According to the question, the study sponsored by the Justice Department reports the number of children abducted by family members in 1999. The highest number mentioned is "over 200,000," therefore the answer is D.

Question 11

In Amato's typology, the __________ perspective holds that financial difficulties brought about by marital dissolution is primarily responsible for the problems faced by children of divorce.

Accepted Answer

According to Amato's typology, the economic hardship perspective asserts that the financial difficulties brought about by marital dissolution are primarily responsible for the problems faced by children of divorce. This perspective emphasizes the negative impact of divorce on the standard of living not only of custodial parents but also of the children involved, leading to future challenges in educational attainment, career and income.

Question 12

As of 2001, three states have enacted covenant marriage laws. Which of the following is NOT one of these states?

Accepted Answer

The three states that have enacted covenant marriage laws are Arizona, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Alaska does not have a covenant marriage law as of 2001.

Question 13

Sociologist William Aquilino analyzed National Survey of Families and Households data from over 3,000 who grew up in intact families from birth to age 18. Aquilino found that even when parents divorce after the child is 18,

Accepted Answer

Aquilino's analysis found that even when parents divorce after the child is 18, it negatively affects the quality of the relationship between parent and child.

Question 14

One review of 33 studies of joint and sole custody found that

Accepted Answer

The review of 33 studies found that children in joint custody arrangements had superior adjustment compared to those in sole custody.

Question 15

In Amato's typology, the __________ perspective holds that conflict between parents prior to, during, and after the divorce is responsible for the lowered well-being of children of divorce.

Accepted Answer

Amato's typology identifies four perspectives that attempt to explain the negative effects of divorce on children. The interparental conflict perspective suggests that conflict between parents before, during, and after divorce is the main contributor to the negative outcomes experienced by children of divorce. The other perspectives include parental adjustment, economic hardship, and life stress.

Question 16

Which of the following options requires spouses to prove fault or live apart for a certain length of time in order to obtain a divorce?

Accepted Answer

Covenant marriage requires spouses to prove fault or live apart for a certain length of time before obtaining a divorce. Serial monogamy refers to multiple marriages in succession without overlapping, divorce mediation is a process of voluntary dispute resolution, and premarital counseling is a course taken before marriage to prepare for a successful marriage.

Question 17

There are more than __________ noncustodial mothers, concentrated in the twenty-five to forty-five age range and lower- to middle-class economic level.

Accepted Answer

The sentence clearly states that there are "more than" a certain number of noncustodial mothers, and the only answer choice that fits that criteria is A) two million. The sentence also provides additional information about the demographic of these noncustodial mothers.

Question 18

Generally, evidence suggests that adult children of divorced parents feel less obligation to their parents. Social scientists have posited four reasons for these findings. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

While it is true that adult children of divorce may be more prone to mental health issues, this is not a reason that social scientists have posited for why they feel less obligation to their parents. The other options, A, C, and D, have all been suggested as reasons for this phenomenon.

Question 19

In Amato's typology, the __________ perspective stresses the quality of parenting in terms of children's adjustment to divorce.

Accepted Answer

The parental adjustment perspective in Amato's typology emphasizes the role of parental adjustment, including their emotional and psychological well-being, in affecting children's adjustment to divorce. This perspective suggests that children are better able to cope with divorce when their parents are able to manage their own emotional and practical challenges post-divorce.

Question 20

Emerging developmental theories of childhood well-being provided support to a presumption that when divorce occurs, mother custody was always in the child's best interest. This point of view came to be known as the so-called "__________" doctrine.

Accepted Answer

The "tender years" doctrine was a presumption in family law that custody of young children (usually under age 4 or 5) should be awarded to their mothers based on the assumption that mothers were better suited to meet the emotional needs of young children. However, this presumption was later challenged and rejected, particularly in cases where the father was the primary caregiver or where joint custody was deemed in the child's best interest.

Quiz 15: Divorce: Before and After