ABSTRACT
Unlike the more hopeful messages portrayed in the next chapter, the presentations in this chapter reveal different patterns of turmoil, lost courses in life, and general despair. Although there are mixtures of gain and hope in the remarks contained herein, this chapter is dedicated to stories that emphasize these unpleasant qualities. The despair, feelings of confusion, and anger registered by the commentators in this chapter rival the types of loss perceived by people in Wallerstein et al.’s (2000b) book. Many respondents also note the behavioral patterns of chaos and craziness that flow in their lives, in part because of their parents’ decision to divorce. These stories also relate closely to those in chapter 5 on becoming “fatherless,” as many of these students strongly feel the absence of a parent in their lives.
