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9 Va. J. Soc. Pol'y & L. 71 (2001-2002)
Good Enough Marriages: Parental Discord, Divorce, and Children's Long-Term Well-Being

handle is hein.journals/vajsplw9 and id is 81 raw text is: GOOD ENOUGH MARRIAGES: PARENTAL DISCORD, DIVORCE, AND CHILDREN'S LONG-TERM WELL-BEING Paul R. Amato* Children's adjustment to divorce depends upon the level of discord between parents prior to disruption. When discord is high, divorce appears to benefit children, but when discord is low, divorce appears to harm children. Low discord marriages that end in divorce represent good enough marriages from a child's perspective. Because relations between spouses in these marriages are generally positive, the potential for reconciliation is considerable. Attempts should be made to screen these couples prior to marital dissolution and provide appropriate educational and support services. Should parents stay together for the sake of their children? A recent book by psychologist Judith Wallerstein argues that many parents should.' The news coverage of the Wallerstein book has been impressive, with major stories in Newsweek, Time, U.S. News and World Report, the New York Times, the L.A. Times, and most other major newspapers in the United States.2 The ubiquitous media attention indicates that this question is not only of interest Professor of Sociology, The Pennsylvania State University. I thank my collaborators on the Marital Instability Over the Life Course Study, Alan Booth and David Johnson. 1 Judith S. Wallerstein et al., The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce: A 25 Year Landmark Study 307 (2000). 2 Barbara Kantrowitz, Echoes of Breakup, Newsweek, Sept. 4, 2000, at 48; Walter Kim, Should You Stay Together For the Kids?, Time, Sept. 25, 2000, at 74; John Leo, The Sleeper Effect, U.S. News & World Rep., Oct. 2, 2000, at 18; Margaret Talbot, The Price of Divorce, N.Y. Times, Oct. 1, 2000, § 7, at 10; Valerie H. Colb, Coming Apart, L.A. Times, Sept. 24, 2000, at 7.