Divorce

Divorce

Divorce is a delicate situation. I have been married three times, divorced two, and am currently legally separated at this time with a guarantee to divorce again. I am neither for divorce nor against it. I say this because I do not believe that a couple should enter a marriage with the idea that they can easily divorce should something happen between them. I also do not believe that anyone should stay in an unhappy or abusive marriage. But then I value marriage based on mutual love and respect. This concept comes from American values and morals where as other countries have a different concept of marriage. In many countries people marry for family value and out of respect for one’s parent’s judgment. Love is believed to grow with time and respect is not earned but expected. Lack of respect for a husband earns a wife a beating and is considered deserved. (So on and so forth) This behavior would never warrant a divorce in their culture and the consideration of divorce would warrant another more server beating.

For me, this does not create a conflict in and of its self while working with a client because I do understand the difference in cultures. However, because the couple has chose to leave their native country and move to the United States I feel they have given up their right to such a life style and must abide by the laws that Americans have established. Therefore if there are circumstances where abuse is occurring and the abused party fails to see a need for intervention, my American bias must step in.

I call it American Bias, society call it Ethics! Basically this is where I would be forced to contact authorities and have them intervene. Obviously the couple would not be happy because in the couple’s culture is unethical but in American society it is considered the right thing to do.