1. Divorce/ By Kelley Sullivan

2. Definition of Divorce Divorceor dissolution of marriageis a legal process in which a judge or other authority dissolves the bonds of matrimony existing between two persons, thus restoring them to the status of being single and permitting them to marry other individuals. No-fault divorceis a divorce in which the dissolution of a marriage requires neither a showing of wrong-doing of either party nor any evidentiary proceedings at all.

3. Statistics Who Divorces? - 50% of 1st marriages - 67% of 2nd marriages - 74% of 3rd marriages 85% who cohabitate divorce 60% of all marriages that end in divorce do so within the first decade. The National Center for Health Statistics , U.S department of health and Human Services reports that in 1940 the rate was 4 per 1000, in 1975 the rate had jumped to almost 5; just five years after that it peaked at 6, leveling off since that 1980 high.

5. Higher risk of substance abuse

7. Are these people more likely to enter an abusive relationship and “stick it out” because their parents did?To prevent negative affects on your children when divorcing: - Put your children's needs first - Fight in private - Communicate Clearly - Never undermine the other parent

8. Life after Divorce 90% of divorced mothers have custody of their children. In the 50’s only 9.3% of homes had a single parent, 16.3% in 1960, today it is over 25% The hardest adjustment for divorced men is their relationship with children. The suicide rate is 3x higher for divorced men then married. Legal fee’s, Child support, Alimony, and having only one income - put a man in debt. Nearly 50% of all couples fall into poverty after a divorce

9. Divorce rate in different countries #1 United States – 4.95 per 1000 people #2 Puerto Rico – 4.97 per 1000 people #3 Russia – 3.36 per 1000 people #4 United Kingdom – 3.08 per 1000 people #5 Denmark – 2.81 per 1000 people #6 Turkey – 0.37 per 1000 people #7 Mexico – 0.33 per 1000 people #8 Italy – 0.27 per 1000 people #9 Brazil – 0.26 per 1000 people #10 Sri Lanka – 0.15 per 1000 people

10. Religion and Divorce 25% of Mainline protestants 29% of Baptists 24% of Mormons 21% of Lutherans 21% of Catholics Have been divorced “Most people in society do what they want regardless of their faith in God.” – Diane Medved

11. “Life is short, have an affair.” AshleyMadison.com is a popular website that encourages people to search for multiple lovers. There are more than 5 million members, 70% of which are men. Biderman who launched the website in 2002, argues that the “social experiment” of monogamous matrimony is a failed one. Evolutionary psychologists say infidelity is an instinct and we’re hardwired for today as we were in the cave.

12. God does not condone divorce, so why does he allow polygamy? If God calls polygamists’ holy, it is time his children stopped arguing against God and his word. Man made religions teach monogamy only, there are no bible versus that plainly condemns polygamy. 1 Kings 15:5 – King David married at least 7 wives, but it says David was right in the sight of the lord. Matthew 25:1-13 – Parable of the 10 virgins, where Jesus himself as the groom marrying 5 out of the virgins. 2 Sam 12:7-8

13. In polygamist households there is more economic stability, more access to child care, and a larger family support network. Men are allowed to “sow their oats” and ensure a large contribution to the gene pool while women are able to feel secure and economically provided for, even if their husbands seek outside relationships. Polygamy ensures that the father will be involved throughout the children’s lives, as both he and the mother have full custody. Children do not have to fear their parents divorcing, therefore the psychological effects do not apply to children of polygamy. Children in larger families have to become “team players”, polygamist children are more equipped for the transition into society.