Descriptive/Informative Research Paper On The Topic About Divorce

Divorce
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Introduction
Divorce is the process of terminating a sacred union of marriage. The formal agreement for separation is a time, energy, and emotionally draining activity for both spouses and children. Over the years, individuals have opted for divorce over infidelity claims, violence, and irreparable differences. This essay is a descriptive analysis of divorce that predicts divorce characteristics, the emotional stages, and consequences on adults and children and its effect on future generations.
Relationships are like a garden that needs regular care and attention to release pent up emotions that may culminate in divorce. Research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman focus on four primary predictors of divorce. According to the research, all relationships have some degree of characteristics, however, those that are unyielding prove most fatal to marriages. They include criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
Criticism can be an ugly form of manipulation, especially in relationships. When done with malice, criticism can imply that there is something inherently wrong with the spouse. The intent to win arguments brings up this characteristic in people, consequently ending up attacking the personality or character of their significant other. Constructive criticism is needed in a relationship, but it can be done without attacking the partner’s personality. A pattern of targeted criticism brings out the other characteristics that constitute predictors of divorce.
Contempt is the second characteristic that can be used as a manipulation tactic or defensive mechanism. This type of behavior can result from unwarranted criticism, where the spouse being criticized feels the need to lash out. He or she can express dissatisfaction through name-calling, mocking, hurtful sarcasm, and eye-rolling. As a manipulation tactic, contempt can be used to attract the spouse’s sense of self to trigger insecurities, consequently causing emotional abuse.
Defensiveness arises when one spouse perceives an attack he or she follows with a counter-complaint. This characteristic is common when one partner is trying to act as the victim and not take responsibility for mistakes. This behavior is linked with the final characteristic, stonewalling. This involves the complete withdrawal of communication in a relationship as a defence mechanism or a strategy of avoiding conflict CITATION Mar20 \l 1033 (Feuerman, 2020). It involves behaviors such as leaving the room or completely ignoring the significant other. At the very least, it can be considered petty “silent treatment,” or in its extreme, a form of distancing that might signal the end of a relationship.
Divorce can be one of the most emotionally draining and disruptive moments in someone’s life. At this moment, serious decisions need to be made, but at the same time, the emotional attachment makes it complicated. The divorce process brings out the following stages of emotions for the individuals involved; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
For spouses that did not initiate the divorce, they experience significant emotions of denial. The shock that comes with the news of divorce is too...