divorce in the us historical viewpoints essay
Research from Dissertation:
Agreements and Disagreements
Once we consider the arguments and perspectives of both Coontz and May about divorce in the us, some disagreements emerge, even though by and large both agree in principle in the event that not about all of the particulars. From the above discussion of the two authors’ points-of-view about divorce in the united states, it is a lot more than evident there is some disagreement in what the authors consider to be in the middle of current rises in divorce prices in the United States. Coontz, on the one hand, argues that modifications in our underlying social attitudes and beliefs about marriage moved around 200 years ago, and that these fresh beliefs remain having an effect on the company of marriage, specifically through divorce. May, on the other hand, attempts socioeconomic changes in the history of the to are the cause of rising divorce rates, and ties the historical rise in divorce costs over the last 100 years to rising affluence as well as the pressure of “keeping up with the Joneses. “
Whilst these two views seem irreconcilable, there are primary similarities and agreements that truly bind these two arguments closely together. Both of the writers agree the fact that roots with the current issues with the company of relationship have profound historical root base in America. Rather than look to modern changes in U. S. culture and cite these while the instrumental factors underpinning higher divorce rates, equally authors proceed deeper to assess some of the formative developments in marriage in the United States that occurred between a century and two centuries ago. This point of agreement is important, and could even hint at the premise that both quarrels are facets of larger ethnic and socioeconomic changes which were occurring in the usa at that time with long-reaching results on marital life and divorce rates.
Differences in Methodology, Tone, and A conclusion
Despite this obvious similarity, there are some differences between two studies. Namely, Coontz’s study is essentially qualitative, while May’s is quantitative. Equally types of studies offer an important put in place this kind of research, however the potential of May possibly to back up her arguments with statistical and economic indications adds a weight of authority that may be sometimes with a lack of Coontz. Coontz’s methodology, unlike May’s, requires historical research and opinion no doubt based upon existing data, but which is not necessarily offered to the reader. May’s readiness to show off much of her data collection for her readers grants her study a greater impact that Coontz’s examination of philosophical and ideological changes fails to accomplish.
Personal Evaluation and Conclusions
Finally, both these fights present a rich famous range of reasons why divorce prices in the United States have already been rising for the last century. Instead of focusing on modern issues that may be too transitory to register an appreciable effect on divorce, May and Coontz reach back in the history with the country to gauge the long lasting factors that could have had this effect. All their results and analyses will vary, but no less useful in comprehending the changes that occurred in America that could possess lasting effect on divorce prices. While privately I was more attracted to the statistical and statistical rigor of May’s study, it appears that there may be more worth to Coontz’s approach. Although evidence is available to support May well, her argument seems very similar to critics who have cite modern-day issues to explain divorce in the us. Coontz, however, considers the larger historical scope of marital life and divorce before making her debate. In the end, a better reliance about quantitative info in Coontz could go a long to way to improving that argument and providing a important new and historical reading on the manifestation of divorce in America.
Performs Cited
Coontz, Stephanie. “The Origins of Modern Divorce. ” Family Method 46. you (Mar. 2007): 7-16.
May, Elaine Tyler. “The Pressure to Provide: Category, Consumerism, and Divorce in Urban American, 1880-1920. inch Journal of
- Category: social issues
- Words: 728
- Pages: 3
- Project Type: Essay