Readings On No-Fault Divorce
Prepared By Charlene Wear Simmons, Ph.D.
Download Entire Document | PDF
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I. Digest And Copyright | HTML
| PDF | (9.6KB)
II. State Grounds for Divorce | PDF
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State Grounds for Divorce: A Brief History, Charlene
Wear Simmons, Ph.D
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"Grounds for Divorce," National Survey of State Laws *Not in PDF*
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"Introduction," Report of the Governor's Commission on
the Family, 1966
III. Divorce Rates in California and the United States
(selected charts) | PDF
| (175KB)
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Annual Divorce Rates in the United States and California,
1940-1995
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Rates of First Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage for U.S.
Women: 1921 to 1989 (3-year averages)
IV. Impact on Children (selected charts and articles)
| PDF | (1040KB)
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Children Living with One Parent, by Marital Status of Parent,1970,
1988, 1994
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Children Living with a Single Parent, by Marital Status of
Parent: 1960-1994
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Children Living with Single Divorced Parent, By Race and
Hispanic Origin, 1980 and 1988
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U.S. Household Composition: 1970 to 1995
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Living Arrangements of Children, by Marital Status and Selected
Characteristics of Parents, March 1994
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The Future of Children: Children and Divorce, Packard
Foundation 1994 *Not in PDF*
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"Epidemiology of Divorce," Patricia H. Shiono
and Linda Sandham Quinn *Not in PDF*
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"Life Span Adjustment of Children to Their Parents' Divorce,"
Paul R. Amato *Not in PDF*
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"High Conflict Divorce," Janet R. Johnston *Not in PDF*
V. Family Composition (selected charts) | PDF
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Marital Status of Persons 18 Years and Older: 1970 and 1994
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Households, Families and Children: A 30-Year Perspective,
U.S. Census Bureau
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American Families: Trends and Policy Issues, Julie DaVanzo
and M. Omar Rahman, RAND, 1993 *Not in PDF*
VI. Current State Legislation of Interest | PDF
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"Divorce Reform in California: From Fault to No-Fault...and
Back Again?," Donna S. Hershkowitz and Drew R.
Liebert
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1997 State Legislation Relating to Divorce Reform/No-Fault
Divorce, National Conference of State Legislatures
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1997 Bill Introductions Relating to Marriage and Divorce
Counseling, National Conference of State Legislatures
VII. Prevention-Strengthening Marriage *Not in PDF*
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"Can the Government Prevent Divorce?" Francine Russo, The
Atlantic Monthly, October 1997
VIII. Articles of Interest *Not in PDF*
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"Divorce American Style," William A. Galston, Public Interest,
Summer 1996
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"The Misguided Movement to Revive Fault Divorce, and Why
Reformers Should Look Instead to the American Law Institute," Ira Mark
Ellman, International Journal of Law, Policy
and the Family 11, (1997)
Note: Some sections above are not offered in PDF form. Please contact the California Research Bureau for a paper copy of the full report. (916) 653-7843
Digest
This compilation of selected materials relative to no-fault divorce and its impact on children was gathered at the request of Assemblymember Martha Escutia, Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. A brief introduction relates the history of state grounds for divorce and state divorce rates. Other topics include demographic information on divorce rates and family composition, the impact of children, current comparative state legislation, proposals to strengthen marriage and selected articles which present divergent opinions about research findings and reform proposals. The Assembly Judiciary Committee report on Divorce Reform in California: From Fault to No-Fault...and Back Again?, offers an excellent summary. Associated topics explicitly not included in the requests include child and spousal support and property division.
Copyright
Since this topic is of interest to many state officials, the California Research Bureau requested and received permission from the copyright holders to compile and reprint a limited number of copies of these materials. The California Research Bureau, California State Library, appreciates the willingness of copyright holders to further an informed public policy debate on this important issue. Copyright laws restrict any further reproduction of these materials.
All copyrighted contents are reproduced with permission and thanks to:
Professor Ira Mark Ellman and Oxford University Press for the article, "Why Reformers Should Look Instead to the American Law Institute," from International Journal of Law, Policy and Family, 1997.
Gale Research for "Grounds for Divorce" section from National Survey of State Laws, 1996.
William A. Galston and National Affairs, Inc. for the article "Divorce American Style" from Public Interest, Summer 1996.
The Packard Foundation for the section on The Future of Children: Children and Divorce and the article "Epidemiology of Divorce" by Patricia H. Shiono and Linda Sandham Quinn.
Francine Russo and The Atlantic Monthly for the article "Can the Government Prevent Divorce?," 1997.