Mohsen Bazargan, PhD. Professor President of Academic Senate Director of Research

1. Mohsen Bazargan, PhD. Professor President of Academic Senate Director of Research Department of Family Medicine Public Health Program Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) May 20, 2015 Kermanshah – Islamic Republic of Iran

2. Percentage of Divorce in USA

3. Who Initiates the Divorce

4. Divorce Statistics In USA A shocking 62% of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older reported never being married 24% were divorced 14% were widowed

5. Children of Divorced Families

6. Who Initiate the Divorce

7. Physical Violence Against Women in USA

8. Physical Violence Against Women in USA

9. Physical Violence Against Women in USA The majority of female victims of intimate partner violence are repeatedly abused by same offender. Approximately 22-35% of women with domestic violence related symptoms seek care at emergency departments.

10. Infidelity and Divorce and Spousal Battering

11. Psychological Suffering of Infidelity Anguish, psychological pain, depression, anger, and humiliation are among the emotional experiences of the partner of someone who has been unfaithful

12. Suffering of Women Empirical evidence suggests that the suffering of women is no less than that of men, especially if the affair is accompanied by emotional involvement

13. Physical Violence Against Women in USA

14. Lifetime Prevalence of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner by Race/Ethnicity

15. How do children of divorce react to counseling by age group? • Early Latency (ages 5-8). Children that are in this age group at the time of their parents' divorce tend to react with great sadness. Some may feel fearful, insecure, helpless and abandoned by the missing parent • The younger children in this group often express guilt and blame themselves for their parents' divorce

16. How do children of divorce react to counseling by age group? • Late Latency (ages 9-12). Children in late latency at the time of their parents' divorce are distinguished from younger children by their feelings of intense anger • They may still feel loneliness, loss, shock, surprise, and fear, but anger and possibly the rejection of one parent are the predominant reactions of this age group

17. How do children of divorce react to counseling by age group? • Adolescence (ages 13-18). Adolescents whose parents are divorcing also experience loss, sadness, anger, and pain. A typical adolescent reaction to parental divorce, however, often involves acting-out behaviors • Sexual promiscuity, delinquency, the use of alcohol and drugs, and aggressive behavior have all been identified as adolescent reactions to parental divorce

18. Personality Factor and Susceptibility to Infidelity Personality factors most strongly linked to susceptibility to infidelity are low Conscientiousness, high Narcissism, and high Psychoticism Relationship contexts most strongly linked to susceptibility to infidelity include sexual dissatisfaction, and specific sources of conflict such as partner complaints about jealousy

19. Rate of Affairs Estimates of American men involved in extramarital affairs range from 22% to 75%; whereas, estimates for women range from 14% to 60% It is estimated that 30-60% of all married individuals in the United States will engage in infidelity at some point during their marriage

20. Infidelity and Divorce In the United States, about 17% of all divorces are due to adultery on the part of either or both partners Furthermore, nearly 31% of marriages last after an affair has been admitted to or discovered Interestingly, 74% of men and 68% of women claim they would engage in infidelity if they would never get caught

21. Structure of Family: Feminist Movement • According to the Michigan Family Review, feminism has revolutionized the structure of family experience, conceptualized family forms and family processes and has most likely influenced the field of family more than any other field • First wave (circa 19-20th century) of feminist movement advocated for women’s suffrage, culminating with the pass of the 19th amendment in 1920 (right to vote) • Second wave (circa 1960) of feminist movement advocated for dismantling workplace inequality; publication of the popular text “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan • Third wave (circa 1990) of feminist movement exposed accounts of sexual harassment and utilized the internet to reach a large audience regarding numerous issues

22. Structure of Family: Hippies Movement • According to a recent study regarding marriage and family values, the hippie movement was described as a separation from the traditional aspects of family • The hippie movement (circa 1960’s) was structured around the principles of harmony with nature, communal living and artistic expression • In addition, the hippie movement was associated with the use of recreational drugs

23. Structure of Family: LGBT Movement • According to prominent sociologists, LGBT movement cultural goals include challenging dominant constructions of masculinity and femininity, homophobia, and the nuclear family • Same-sex civil unions were recognized under Vermont law in 2000, and Massachusetts became the first state to perform same-sex marriages in 2003 • In 2008, California’s Supreme Court rules that gays and lesbians should be allowed to wed

24. Structure of Family: Social Networking In-person conversation with family members was once viewed as the primary mode for social networking According to a recent article, 20% of individuals admit they only know what family members are doing by checking online The evolution of internet has generated numerous social networking internet-based social networking platforms that may challenge family structure

25. Structure of Family: Pornography • With the rise of the popularity of the Internet in recent years, the accessibility of pornography has been a growing concern • One particular concern is the potential risk for addictive behaviors to occur as a result of the ease of viewing online pornographic material and the impact on intimate relationships • An emerging body of research has shown associations between pornography and certain behaviors and attitudes • Moreover, online pornography use motivated by social needs is perpetuated by deficient self-regulation and may lead to negative life consequences in some individuals

26. Divorce Rates in the Islamic Republic of Iran In 2006, the divorce rate in the Islamic Republic of Iran was 119 for every 1,000 marriages In 2014, the divorce rate in the Islamic Republic of Iran nearly doubled to 225 divorces for every 1,000 marriages

27. Divorce Rates in the Islamic Republic of Iran In looking at the increasing divorce rate, an alarming 30% of divorces occurred within the first year of marriage It has been previously reported that unhealthy relationships, intimacy problems, and moral degeneration are the primary causes of divorce Furthermore, infidelity and remarriage has been reported as a cause for divorce in the Islamic Republic of Iran of Iran

28. بحران هویت جنسی • پسران و مردان جوان 'در خطر بحران • ’هویت جنسی هستند’ افراط در بازی‌های کامپیوتری و تماشای پورنوگرافی مردان جوان را در معرض جدایی اجتماعی و جنسی از واقعیت قرار داده است، آنها به جای آنچه به طور طبیعی یک مرد جوان باید انجام دهد، در اتاق‌های خود در تنهایی و در دنیایی مجازی زندگی می‌کنند.

29. Future Recommendations Our findings suggest an urgent need for comprehensive multidimensional investigational interventions to prevent divorce and infidelity among this study population Specifically, interventions should address the increasing rate in divorce among young Iranian couples, which is particularly alarming Interventions, such as an innovative health skills curriculum with mental health objectives, may be of particular value

30. Questions… Email: mobazarg@cdrewu.edu Tel. 1-323-357-3655 1731 E. 120th Street Los Angeles CA 90089