1. Debate in class the following statement: "Divorce rates in the United States are increasing to such an extent that the stability of the family institution is being threatened." Do 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce? Explain the problems in determining the percentage of marriages which end in divorce.
2. What are the factors associated with divorce? Why have we experienced an increase in divorce rates since 1970? What changes, if any, have occurred in divorce rates in the past 5 years?
3. What is an amicable divorce? Do you think that amicable divorces are possible? If you belong to a religious group, do you think it would adopt a service for the dissolution of a marriage? Why or why not?
4. What is the difference between a "no-fault" divorce system and a "fault-based" system of divorce? What are the advantages of each? What are the disadvantages of our present "no-fault" system? Debate in class the following statement: "The 'no-fault' divorce system is not achieving its goals and should be changed."
5. In a group of 5 or 6 or six student, imagine that you are a state legislature charged with creating a divorce system which will benefit the society and its individual members. What would you suggest?
6. How are divorce and death alike? How does the bereavement process related to death differ from adjustment to divorce? Answer these questions from the perspectives of adults and children.
7. Are there any student volunteers who would be willing to discuss their experience of adjustment following a divorce? How might this experience affect your own marriage plans and/or preparation.
8. What factors affect the relationship between ex-spouses after divorce? How do these relationships affect successful co-parenting?
9. How successful are remarriages? What factors will affect the happiness of these marriages? What are the potential problems and opportunities of blended families from the perspective of stepparents and stepchildren?
10. Are there any student volunteers who would be willing to discuss their experience as a member of a blended families? What are the challenges faced by individuals involved in stepparent-stepchild relationships? What are some of the unique problems of reconstituted families?

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