Family Life

10.24.11 | Sarah Harnisch

   A research group out of Minnesota is trying to get Congress to take a look at a proposal that would cause couples to pause before divorcing. Half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. The University of Minnesota took a look at why. What they learned may dramatically change the number of divorces in this country. They said divorce is fueled by a common assumption that once couples file, they don't entertain the idea of reconciling. Their study showed 40-percent of husbands and wives are open to the possibility of reconciliation after divorce paperwork papers is turned in.  William Doherty of the Couples on the Brink Project says 46 states have waiting periods of 6 months or less. No other western nation has waiting periods as short as the United States. In Western Europe, the average wait is 3-years. The group plans to roll out their Second Chances proposal in a few states first, then pursue it nationally.

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