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There is no shortage of marriage advice that exists today, likely in an effort to help others stay together and decrease divorce rates. This often comes down to determining what, exactly, makes a successful marriage. Of course, there is most likely not one single factor that can be attributed to lasting unions, but rather, happy marriages are likely so due to a multitude of factors. The fact that each successful marriage may have to be considered separately to determine what makes it so can make predicting the success of any given marriage difficult. Despite this challenge, researchers, relationship experts, and others continue to search for the answer to how to make a marriage work.
Practical Advice
Over the last several decades, many have attempted to analyze several factors that contribute to a marriage in order to determine whether one would be successful or not. According to a recently published article, one particularly telling factor in determining the success of a marriage is the relative age of each party. More specifically, the research found that the smaller the age difference between spouses, the more likely the marriage would last.
The holidays are often a stressful time for families, regardless of whether relationships are strained. Often, the hassle of traveling, shopping, cooking, and preparing meals takes its toll on all individuals involved. However, in families who are going through a transition, either because of a new marriage, or perhaps because of a divorce, the holiday season may be one in which tensions are running particularly high. According to a recently published news article, the key to keeping emotions in check over the holidays is managing expectations with family.
Expert Advice
Experts say the key to enjoying the holidays comes down to managing expectations with family. Establishing your own family traditions should be a priority. If you plan on changing your schedule for the holidays, for example, by spending Christmas Eve or Christmas morning in your own home as opposed to that of another family member, and this is likely to conflict with other family members’ expectations, let your plans be known well in advance and remind others of them if and when necessary.
Today’s concept of family has shifted from something that may have once been described as solely mom, dad, and kids, to a more inclusive interpretation that could include grandparents, aunts and uncles, half siblings, and step parents, just to name a few. The dynamic of the typical American family is certainly changing, so much so that perhaps there is no longer anything "typical" about it. A recently published news article reports that one trend in particular is emerging regarding the change in family structure - grandparents fulfilling the role of parents in taking care of their grandchildren.
Grandparents as Parents
According to a new U.S. Census report, there is an increase in the number of grandparents who are caring for children. The report concludes that about 10 percent of the nations’ grandparents live with at least one of their grandchildren. Over the course of the last approximately 40 years, the number of children living in grandparent-run homes has doubled. In 2012, 60 percent of households that contained both grandparents and grandchildren were maintained by a grandparent. In one-third of them, no parent was present.
The battle to legalize same-sex marriage has been ongoing for years, perhaps decades, and is just starting to be realized with laws going into effect in multiple states across the country that support marriage equality. Many advocates of gay marriage surely view these recent advancements as achievements, but even aside from the states that have not legalized gay marriage, this recent legal shift is presenting other challenges and issues to address.
Essentially, the legalization of gay marriage also involves the application of other legal concepts to the marriage that also apply to heterosexual couples. Some areas of law are not yet amended or modified to properly address the issue of gay marriage, but others are and can likely readily be applied. For example, current divorce laws may fall short in many aspects when applied to same-sex couples, but same-sex couples should not have a problem entering into a valid prenuptial agreement.
When child custody and support matters are added into the divorce mix, issues may be compounded and emotions can arise quickly. Of course, every case involving child custody has different factors and circumstances involved, but in many cases, both parents wish to have custody of their minor children and have their own ideas about what children need during and after divorce. A recently published article suggests some commonly accepted advice regarding children’s needs after divorce may be missing the mark.
Stability
Normally, divorcing parents may be focused on providing their children with as much routine and structure as possible to provide them with the perceived necessary stability through their divorce. However, according to the article referenced above, recent studies suggest that stability may have a different meaning to the children themselves. Experts are saying that what children really want and need in order to thrive in light of their parents divorce is open access to both parents.
Domestic violence is an issue being discussed in communities across the country, but often has similar factors at play no matter where it takes place. A recently published news article examines the topic of domestic violence from some familiar angles in order to shed light on questions, such as why victims stay in abusive relationships and some of the more common warning signs of domestic violence. This information is useful no matter where domestic violence takes place.
Why Victims Stay
Many times, when discussing the topic or a specific incident of domestic violence, the question comes up as to why the victim stays with his or her abuser. To some, the prospect of leaving an abusive relationship may seem like an obvious choice. However, to those involved in such a relationship, it is not always that easy.
In matters of divorce and child custody, it is safe to say that things can get messy fast. The process of dissolving a marriage and making visitation schedules for minor children can bring up many emotions from all parties involved, and may bring out some less than admirable qualities in people. While ex-spouses likely have their own issues to address in the divorce process, attempting to come to an agreement about child custody matters usually brings up a whole other set of issues to address.
When a couple cannot reach an agreement about custody of their children and visitation schedules, the matter is brought before the court and a judge is asked to make the custody determination. Parents’ wishes are certainly made known, through them or their attorneys, but what about the minor children involved? In some cases, perhaps the court never hears their point of view, but in others, they make their wishes clear about which parent they want to live with and how they wish to spend their time with each parent. The question is, how much weight does the court give to a child’s wishes in a custody matter?
Start to finish, the process of divorce can be expensive and goes well beyond legal fees. In a divorce, most of a couple’s assets are usually up for grabs. This can include retirement accounts, savings accounts, real estate, and the marital home, just to name a few. In addition, each party must consider the financial implications they will face after their divorce is finalized. For many, that may involve starting a new life in their 40s or 50s, something that can be challenging both emotionally and financially. With all of these financial considerations in mind, the prospect of divorce can seem daunting and overwhelming, especially when a number of other issues will also undoubtedly have to be addressed. There is some good news, however. For those couples or individuals considering divorce, there are steps to take prior to filing for divorce to take into consideration in order to financially prepare for the separation.
Adoption can be extremely positive for all parties involved in the process, from the adoptive parents seeking to add a child to their family, to the child looking for a permanent home. While the situation may be most emotional for the birth parents, adoption can also ultimately be a positive thing for them, too, particularly in cases where they are not capable or equipped to care for the child. Likely recognizing the positions of the these different parties, Illinois law generally provides for the protection of all parties involved in the adoption process.
Rights of Birth Parents
Birth parents who decide to place their child up for adoption in the state of Illinois have certain rights about which they should be aware. Birth parents can go through the process with either an adoption agency or a licensed Illinois attorney who represents them in the case. Attorneys are generally used in private adoptions in the state. It is always a good idea to consult with an experienced attorney when going through a legal process to ensure wishes are being met.
While it is unfortunate that an extremely violent event involving a public figure is what has sparked a renewed conversation on domestic violence, many are saying the occurrence is simply bringing to light the types of domestic violence incidents that victims must deal with on a regular basis. As the conversation about domestic violence continues in the media and among the public, the overall effort seems to be spreading awareness and advocating for solutions to the domestic violence problem across the country. It can at least be said that these issues affect far more people than average members of the public may realize, and the problem is likely larger than many think.
Just how big is the problem of domestic violence? A report published by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence asserts that in fiscal year 2014, a total of 63 domestic violence incidents took the lives of 84 individuals, with many more leading to injury, and presumably even more going unreported.
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