Synopsis
Discusses the causes of divorce, its prevalence in the United States, and its effects on children, families, and society.
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-Abrams maintains a clinical distance from her subject, straightforwardly plowing through information on the history, prevalence, and effects of divorce. Not an advice book for children of divorce, this title will be of more interest to students researching the topic for reports. The author is thorough in her consideration of child custody, financial support, and the consequences of divorce for children, citing studies and court cases as she traces its increasing occurrence and broad societal effects. Specific aspects such as alimony and child-support payments are studied within their wider social and economic contexts over the last century. Interviews with children of divorce add an occasional human element to the facts and figures. The black-and-white photos scattered throughout depict mainly Caucasian couples and children experiencing obvious interpersonal conflict, but add no information. Those seeking support books will be better served by several titles in the "Divorce Resource" series (all Rosen, 2000).-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.