Some events in life are traumatic no matter how strong you might be. Among the most difficult events: sustaining a major personal injury or illness, getting fired and the death of a close friend. However, all of those crises are lower on the Holmes-Rahe life stress scale than divorce. Only the death of a spouse ranks higher than the end of your marriage.
In some ways, life after 50 can be the best time of all. People have defined careers that often result in not only monetary compensation but a sense of fulfillment as well. Many people in midlife are also more comfortable with their bodies and have settled on a style that suits them. Many folks over 50 are also nearing the end of their child-rearing adventures (or have already packed the kids off to college) and can look back with satisfaction on their family lives.
While the changes in the percentage of U.S. adults who are married might not be apparent from year to year, the incremental shifts add up over time. About half of all American adults are today married; down 9 percent from 25 years ago and down more than 20 percent since 1960.
There is perhaps no more wonderful feeling in the world than holding your baby in your arms. Whether you are a mother or a father, that feeling is one of life’s great rewards.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University indicates that the outcome of a divorce can affect children physically even decades later. If an adult child’s parents ended up not speaking to one another after divorce or separation, the study found, the adult child was more likely than other adults to catch the common cold. If their parents remained in contact after the divorce, however, there was no additional risk of catching a cold.
We all know that the nature of fatherhood in America has changed over time, and it continues to change. Today, dads are taking a much more active role in childrearing and family life. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen significantly more single fathers and stay-at-home dads than ever before. Nevertheless, it’s increasingly common for kids to grow up with dad living elsewhere.
