Talking point( Family communication class) - Essay Example

and Number: COMM389 (Intervention Project) Talking Points (Family Communications) 09 October Why Divorce Rates IncreasedModern society is fast disintegrating due to the high rates of divorce nowadays. It is a mystery to some why people married in the first place and would opt to divorce later on. This is the subject of this paper, to research why divorce rates are increasing almost everywhere. In doing this research, it is hoped that the reasons why people get divorced can be uncovered in a dispassionate way so remedies can be proposed to reduce divorce rates.

This is a very vital social issue because divorce has adverse effects not only on the adult individuals concerned but more importantly, with the children coming from such a union. Children whose parents divorced are recorded to be exhibiting less “emotional, behavioral, mental and social stability, have poorer health and inferior academic” performance (Fabricius et al., 2010, p. 202). Divorce can be caused by a variety of factors and is a very complex emotional issue. In general, divorce rates are increasing due to the rising level of economic independence of a woman and also because of higher educational attainment by most women.

There are many social factors contributory to increasing divorce rates these days such as a decline in influence of religion, reduced communalism and a corresponding rise in individualism. However, most of the highly relevant reasons for a divorce are actually the result of a miscommunication or a lack of effective communications between the two principal partners. These are called as the predictive factors of a divorce such as repeated expressions of negative affect, low levels of emotional support, frequent arguments, infidelity and frequent heated arguments.

Many of the causes happen on multiple levels and interact (Clarke-Stewart & Brentano, 2007, p. 29). Intervention ProjectThis project is focused on the attachment theory which was originally developed for children and later on extended to adults in family relationships (Feeney & Noller, 1996, p. 5). Specifically, it looks at the dysfunctional nature of their communications (Rholes & Simpson, 2006, p. 23). Attachment theory from a dialectical perspective involves three general thoughts on family relationships that are privacy as against transparency, novelty versus predictability and finally, desired autonomy as against connectedness and intimacy.

An important part of the intervention is looking at several talking points designed to help diffuse mis-communications.1. Talking Point No. 1 – It takes two to tango. When people get into trouble with their partners, they usually blame the other person and not themselves. They do not realize or refuse to accept the reality that they are part of the problem (Stoner, 2009, p. 90).2. Talking Point No. 2 – It is sweeter the second time around. For many divorced people, there is often a need to get intimate again with someone.

Research has shown how the divorce has adverse effects on their psychological, mental and physical health. People remarry for a variety of reasons but usually due to hope (Parrott & Parrott, 2001, p. 21). 3. Talking Point No. 3 – Beaten black and blue. It is a general misconception and a myth that only women can be the victims of domestic violence. In truth and in fact, husband is also the subject of violence but is very rarely discussed or even publicly acknowledged. It is a virtual hidden malaise that is lost in the public debate about divorce where the topical issue of domestic violence is centered on the wife as sole victim (Stationery Office, 2008, p. 22). The intervention program chosen for this project is role playing.

This allows partners to experience various situations that will illuminate their disagreements in the proper context (Dion, 2005, p. 140). Program participants will be allowed to voice their arguments and try to remember their childhood memories to understand divorce better (Satter, 2003, p. 425). ReferencesClarke-Stewart, A. & Brentano, C. (2007). Divorce: Causes and Consequences. New Haven, CT, USA: Yale University Press US.Dion, M. R. (Fall 2005). Healthy Marriage Programs: Learning What Works.

The Future of Children, 15 (2), 139-156.Fabricius, W. V., Braver, S. L., Diaz, P. & Velez, C. E. (2010). Custody and Parenting Time: Links to Family Relationships and Well-being After Divorce. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The Role of the Father in Child Development (pp. 201-240). Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Feeney, J. & Noller, P. (1996). Adult Attachment. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. Parrott, L. & Parrott, L. L. (2001). Saving your Second Marriage Before it Starts: Nine Questions to Ask Before (and After) You Remarry.

Michigan: Zondervan. Rholes, W. S. & Simpson, J. A. (2006). Adult Attachment: Theory, Research and Clinical Implications. New York, NY, USA: Guilford Publications. Satter, B. (July 2003). The Sexual Abuse Paradigm in Historical Perspective: Passivity and Emotion in mid-Twentieth Century America. Journal of the History of Sexuality, 12 (3), 424-464. Stationery Office of the British Parliament (2008). Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and Honour-based Violence. London, UK: The House of Commons Press.Stoner, K. (2009).

Divorce without Court: A Guide to Mediation and Collaborative Divorce. Berkeley, CA, USA: Nolo Press.