effects of Divorce to families
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Divorce
Some family members view divorce as a way out of a dysfunctional marriage while others do not perceive it as a solution to the issues. In turn, people from a divorced family are exposed to various emotions that may affect them in different ways. Divorce is also viewed from various angles such as on a logical level where some comprehend it as unnecessary, but to others, it is necessary. It is also notable that the process has ethical appeals that make it a wrong act to execute, but to other people, they do not feel any ethical obligations. The law is put in place for the essence of regulating the divorce process. Despite the freewill connected to the divorce process, there is a dire need to regulate it with the aim of keeping sanity in the society and protecting the affected individuals (Funder and Kinsella 22). Texas has its own set of laws in connection to the divorce process. However, in the essence of protecting the involved parties, it is necessary to complicate the divorce process through the applied new laws.
Some of the current divorce laws in Texas include filing the process in the county where the two spouses reside. The law in Texas also expects one to file their divorce cases in court, which will either issue or deny the legal separation of the spouses (Divorce Source Web). However, the law expects that at least one of the involved spouses show up in court. The law in Texas also allows the spouses to agree on the amount of property each will part with upon separation. On the contrary, the court can decide on the shares of the property, in case of a difficult decision process between the spouses. When it comes to children, the Texas’ law has given the spouses the opportunity to decide on the parent to pay the child support fee. However, the majority of the cases in Texas have proved that the parent spending less time with the child will be paying the support fee. Filing for bankruptcy can be used by parents who would like to escape paying the child support fee. However, the Texas law prohibits such a case and despite filing for bankruptcy, the parent needs to continue paying the child support (Divorce Source Web). As such, it is clear that the law in Texas guides the divorce process, but there is a need to tighten them.
A divorce has different effects on the parents and their children, especially after finalizing it in court. The religiously staunch families view divorce as a wrongful act to undergo and for them, they would prefer avoiding it. The divorce process breaks families and encourages individuality, which is unethical in various communities. To some societies, divorce is viewed as an evil act and it is not supported by any ethical arguments. On the contrary, some individuals do not view it as a wrongful act, but a solution that does not have any unethical implications. Consequently, there are communities that do not judge divorced couples while others are keen on pointing it out as an unaccepted act (Everett 168).
Divorce has intensive emotional effects on children and the spouses, which is another reason that the state of Texas should make it a complicated process to accomplish. Firstly, children are confused about the living arrangement upon the separation of their parents. During this time, the children are prone to stress and depression because they develop negative feelings towards the divorce. Thus, the law should protect children from such an exposure where their feelings are hurt and they develop negative attitude in life. Some children face hardships when parents do not support them comfortably. The divorce process also affects the spouses emotionally. For example, a spouse separating from a person he or she used to love is extremely difficult. Sequentially, the spouses face difficulty in comprehending the situation, and some feel the need to turn to other activities for solace, for example, drinking alcohol. Such parents suffer emotionally and feel the urge of guidance from support groups and psychiatrists.
Logically, divorce is an option to solve problems in a dysfunctional family. However, it is also logical to protect the affected individuals and avoid cases of depression and other unwanted feelings (Everett 58). Despite divorce being a healthy solution to problems within a family, it is essential to note that children and some of the spouses face depression and stress because of it. It is essential for the Texas law to make it difficult for people to file for divorce and avoid cases of negativity in the society.
There are various ways the Texas State can amend the divorce laws, which will eventually make it difficult for people to get divorced. One of the laws that the state can adjust is the one requiring the presence of all spouses in court for the process to be accomplished. In addition, the court should be the one to decide on the division of the property and not the spouses. As such, making it difficult for the spouses to divorce creates a chance for people to reconcile and not view separation as a solution to their problems. In addition, the spouses will be forced to accord the matter the seriousness it deserves and avoid stressing all the involved individuals.
Works Cited
Divorce Source. Texas Divorce Laws. 2014, Web. 21 April 2014.
Everett, Craig. The Economics of Divorce: The Effects on Parents and Children. New York: Psychology Press, 1994. Print.
Funder, Kate and Kinsella, Simon. “Divorce, change and children: Effects of changing family structure and income on children.” Family Matters 30 (1991): 20-23. Print.
