Final answer:
Divorce research highlights difficulties in measurement, the cyclical nature impacting future generations, and the importance of maintaining parental relationships post-divorce. Remarriage and blended families bring further complexities, yet the aspiration for strong marital relationships persists among youth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Summarize the problems in measuring divorce, such as the underreporting of divorce rates or the overlooking of sociocultural factors, creates complexities in understanding the full scope of divorce's impact. Empirical research has found that while divorce rates have declined over the last twenty-five years, the effects on children and subsequent generations are notable. Divorce tends to have a cyclical pattern, with children and grandchildren of divorce being significantly more at risk of ending their own marriages.
Fathers' contact after divorce plays a critical role in the adjustment and well-being of children post-divorce. Boys who maintain close contact with their fathers typically exhibit less aggression, and strong parent-child relationships are emphasized as crucial for a child's ability to adjust to the changes brought about by divorce.
Moreover, the formation of blended families and remarriage introduce additional complexities. These new family structures can lead to stress due to differing discipline styles and interpersonal conflicts. Despite these challenges, most high school seniors maintain a positive outlook towards having a strong marriage and family life in the future.