These are some of the opening remarks of this article:
> It is usually the young father’s criminal behavior, the spells of incarceration that so often follow, a pattern of intimate violence, his chronic infidelity, and an inability to leave drugs and alcohol alone that cause relationships to falter and die.”
> Over the past half-century, the number of men per capita behind bars has more than quadrupled.
and this is the conclusion:
> Norms were loosened around being an absentee father. So more men took the option.
Is it just me, or is there a massive disconnect here? The rising prison population was not caused by a loosening of the norm that one should not go to prison; that's absurd on the face of it. Intimate violence and alcohol abuse have not somehow become de rigueur over the last few decades because of the luxury beliefs of the middle class.
There is a massive disconnect there. I've met plenty of divorced people and lone-parents which are neither of those. And of course, my own experience is no data of any sort, but I've felt that having an unlimited amount of patience for any partner, or they having it for me, it's not assured on either part. In fact, I've the deepest admiration and respect for people who do manage to live with the same partner for more than a few years. How do you do it, guys?
> ...people who do manage to live with the same partner for more than a few years. How do you do it, guys?
There are probably as many answers as there are couples. One idea is just don't have (or look for) any better options. If the only realistic alternative seems to be solitude then the threshold to leave is higher.
> It is usually the young father’s criminal behavior, the spells of incarceration that so often follow, a pattern of intimate violence, his chronic infidelity, and an inability to leave drugs and alcohol alone that cause relationships to falter and die.”
> Over the past half-century, the number of men per capita behind bars has more than quadrupled.
and this is the conclusion:
> Norms were loosened around being an absentee father. So more men took the option.
Is it just me, or is there a massive disconnect here? The rising prison population was not caused by a loosening of the norm that one should not go to prison; that's absurd on the face of it. Intimate violence and alcohol abuse have not somehow become de rigueur over the last few decades because of the luxury beliefs of the middle class.