Marriage and Divorce in America

This encyclopedia provides a wide-ranging overview of the historical evolution, current characteristics, and social impact of marriage and divorce in America.This authoritative, one-stop resource will help readers understand the history and current state of marriage and divorce in the United States, including their many cultural, economic, political, legal, and religious facets. Users of this resource will find valuable information and insights on broad trends in relationships that are changing the landscape of American society, such as divorce rates, delayed marriages, blended families, birth rates, and prevalence of marriage and divorce among various socioeconomic groups. In addition, the encyclopedia features in-depth entries covering high-interest issues that are shaping the character of marriage, divorce, relationships, and family life in the 21st century, including economic/legal topics (child support, prenups, alimony, divisions of assets in divorce, the wedding industry, no-fault divorce, legal representation in divorce, and economic independence as a factor in separations/divorce); other divorce factors (infidelity, parenthood, illness, domestic abuse, child abuse); and a host of other legal-cultural issues, factors, and phenomena, both current and historical.More than 200 encyclopedia entries covering marriage, divorce, relationships, and family life in AmericaExtensive coverage of broad demographic and socioeconomic trends in marriage and divorceStrong focus on the impact of marriage, divorce, and other changes in parental relationships on children and teensCoverage of numerous aspects of the institutions of marriage and divorce, from wedding vows and bridal registries to child support and legal expenses associated with divorce