by Toni Anne

Created on: March 04, 2009   Last Updated: March 05, 2009

Divorce is the act of dissolving the relationship between two people, who at one point in their lives, valued each other enough to promise to love, cherish, and honor until death. How is it then, millions of people who are in the process of dissolving that bond can't be mature enough to at least stick to the promise? Doesn't any form of relationship require the same guidelines? Relationships, whether between friends, colleagues, or couples should have the basic foundation of respect. Even if we loose the feeling of love or liking the other person, common consideration to the other person's feelings should always outweigh the need for vengeance and hatred.

Statistically, 40-50% of all marriages will end in divorce. The website with the most accurate results, www.divorcerate.org, broke this down into terms of age and gender. Men and women 20 to 24 years old seem to be at a higher risk of divorce, 36.6% -38.8%, compared to that of men and women aged 25 to 29, 16.4% - 22.3%. The older the couple, the least likely a divorce will take place. It is also believed by sociologists a childless marriage is a common cause of divorce. Overall, 66% of divorced couples are without children.

If this is the case, then why is it so difficult to have the other 34% of divorced couples, with children, help eliminate the rise in the divorce rate by conducting themselves appropriately? Maintaining a healthy relationship with your children doesn't end when a divorce begins. In fact, it should be time when both parents forge together on the behalf of their children. It is hard enough for them to accept the split in the first place, much less to have their parents in a constant battle over money, visitation, custody, and similar issues that arise from the lawyer's desk.

It is equally irresponsible for the adults to start throwing temper tantrums about dividing property and bank accounts when they should be focused on how to calmly implement the children into the new arrangements. It is time to take a stand and bring a healthy view of divorce, which is obviously inevitable given our societies standards on keeping promises, instead of grinding the axe in each other's faces. Children are caught in the aftermath of any divorce and should be treated with respect and dignity. Their feelings do matter, regardless of the age.

For example, a young couple having a child between the age of newborn and 2 decide to divorce. This child may not fully grasp the concept of their parent's divorce, but he/she

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