The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce

September 15, 2000
Psychologist Wallerstein follows her two best sellers on the effects of divorce on children (Surviving the Breakup, 1980; Second Chances, 1989) with this third study of 93 adults whom she first interviewed as children 25 years ago. Her findings are presented through five very readable case studies interwoven with other data. When possible, she has interviewed a comparison group of adults from the same neighborhoods whose parents did not divorce, and she partly bases her conclusions on differences between the two groups. Foremost in her findings are that children view divorce differently from their parents (what is intolerable to parents may not be to children) and that the effects of the breakup are long-lasting--not temporary. Wallerstein also reveals that in many cases divorce's long-term outcomes for these children have been positive: they have battled demons, but many have come to terms with their past and are building satisfying lives, although often at a later age than the comparison group. Her conclusions call for everyone--parents, counselors, teachers, judges, mediators--to pay greater attention to children's needs. A preface, an introduction, appendixes, and notes well explain her study methods and resources. Highly recommended for all libraries.--Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD

Copyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2000
"The sobering truth," the authors declare, "is that we have created a new kind of society." Their new kind of society offers many adults more freedom and opportunities, but it harms other adults and most children. Wallerstein and her associates have been researching the effect of divorce on children since the early '70s. This volume offers structured interviews with some of the young people her team has been working with since 1971, and the authors have used a comparison group of peers in intact families (happy or unhappy) to suggest the cumulative impact of divorce. The authors challenge two myths: that, if parents are happier, children too will be happier; that "divorce is a temporary crisis that exerts its most harmful effects . . . at the time of the breakup." For the half-dozen individuals discussed here, divorce has major consequences in adulthood, particularly as these children of divorce seek to form adult relationships. This is a nuanced analysis that includes suggestions, in the final chapter, about how parents, courts, and social workers can help children cope with the end of their parents' marriage. Wallerstein, an active guest on the talk-show circuit, is the coauthor of several national best-sellers, including "The Good Marriage" (1995) with Sandra Blakeslee. ((Reviewed July 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)