Divorce: Three Different Experiences for Three Different Families

This discussion first briefly addresses the utility of Kantor and Lehr’s three family types for the study of divorce. Second, definitions of the key terms used in the discussion follow, including Kantor and Lehr’s three family types in their ideal and flawed forms. Third, the discussion traces a “trajectory,” or course, for each family type from factors leading to divorce through plausible postdivorce responses, including both strengths and vulnerabilities. Finally, the discussion closes with implications and conclusions from these trajectories for the treatment and study of families who divorce.