Date of Award

8-2008

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Family and Consumer Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Karen Blaisure

Second Advisor

Dr. Linda Dannison

Third Advisor

Bryce Dickey

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of this current study was to investigate the level of acceptance among professionals in Japan for initiatives and services for families experiencing divorce. Questionnaires were mailed to 1963 professionals. Seventy questionnaires were returned from Family Court Officers (n = 3), Counselors at the Family Problem Information Centers (n = 8), family law attorneys (n = 2), university faculty (n = 53), and unspecified (n = 4). Results are summarized as follows: laws and rules about divorce in Japanese society, including historical aspects; focusing on children's interests; visitation and postdivorce relationships; educating the public, parents, and high school students; and parenting plans and education programs for parents. Respondents supported offering the option of dual parental authority; requiring parents to develop a contract on visitation and child-rearing expenses; encouraging parent/child relationships post-divorce; educating parents about the needs of children post-divorce; focusing the goals and the contents of education programs for divorcing parents on the well-being of children; and promoting parenting plans as means to encourage positive parent/child relationships post-divorce. Limitations of this study and implications for practice and future research are also discussed.

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