Dr. Judith Gerhart, CFP
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst 
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“For the Sake of the Children”
June 25, 2009
A recent, very public disclosure from Jon and Kate Gosselin indicated that steps had been taken to end their marriage. They both cite that their decision was made for the sake of their children. That their children should not be subjected to unhappy, miserable and constantly fighting parents.
This position on divorce is a common one. It also full of misconceptions about the nature of marriage, the options available and the effects of divorce on children. In fact, these misconceptions were, and sometimes still are, upheld by marriage professionals everywhere. Years ago, training for marriage therapists prepared the counselor to assist the couple in “divorcing well”. To minimize the negative effects of the divorce by helping the family work through the divorce together, communicate clearly and treat each other with respect. It was taught, and believed, that it was better to have two well-adjusted parents living separately, than to have an intact couple who were miserable and fighting. The therapeutic community helped to sell this “lesser-of- two-evils” position to the public. Now, with emerging evidence, there is a strong push by the therapeutic community to uphold a third option. Educate couples in key relationship-enhancing skills that will allow the couple to enjoy being together while keeping the family intact.
By: Laurie Dwyer
Posted by Judith Gerhart on June 25, 2009 | Permalink | Post a comment
