divorce inherently immoral? Does its morality depend on the presence of children in a marriage? Views vary on the ethical issue of divorce, for some believe marriage to be a scared institution sanctioned and governed by religious bodies, while others view it as purely a secular matter. If one or both of the married partners are unhappy, should divorce be an option? Or should the institution of marriage be preserved no matter what obstacles are in its path?

Laurence Houlgate quotes Rebecca West in the opening of his article: "divorce is nearly always an unspeakable calamity." Studies show that children do suffer dearly from the consequences of divorce. On several accounts, children bear the largest burden of the parents' faults. Despite arguments to the contrary, Houlgate cites ample evidence supporting the theory that children experience psychological and behavioral problems following a divorce. Many of these effects last for years. Long-term...
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