Parents teenagers and family life: a qualitative investigation

Abstract

Divorce is not only a social and legal institution that is the legal dissolution of a legal marriage, but is also a major life transition, with often negative emotional, social and practical consequences for many of the individuals touched by it. It can be seen as a process of transformation in personal and family life and a matter of public concern, as well as a legal event. Divorce is often portrayed as a personal and family tragedy, but it can also offer hope and provide a bridge from an unhappy family life to the possibility of more positive family experiences in the future. Divorce is a private and personal matter, which has far-reaching consequences for families and society as a whole. This briefing explores divorce in Scotland, setting it in its historical context, and examining recent trends.