Divorce

Divorce is a delicate situation. I have been married three times, divorced two, and am currently legally separated at this time with a guarantee to divorce again. I am neither for divorce nor against it. I say this because I do not believe that a couple should enter a marriage with the idea that they can easily divorce should something happen between them. I also do not believe that anyone should stay in an unhappy or abusive marriage. But then I value marriage based on mutual love and respect. This concept comes from American values and morals where as other countries have a different concept of marriage. In many countries people marry for family value and out of respect for one�s parent�s judgment. Love is believed to grow with time and respect is not earned but expected. Lack of respect for a husband earns a wife a beating and is considered deserved. (So on and so forth) This behavior would never warrant a divorce in their culture and the consideration of divorce would warrant another more server beating.

For me, this does not create a conflict in and of its self while working with a client because I do understand the difference in cultures. However, because the couple has chose to leave their native country and move to the United States I feel they have given up their right to such a life style and must abide by the laws that Americans have established. Therefore if there are circumstances where abuse is occurring and the abused party fails to see a need for intervention, my American bias must step in.

I call it American Bias, society call it Ethics! Basically this is where I would be forced to contact authorities and have them intervene. Obviously the couple would not be happy because in the couple�s culture is unethical but in American society it is considered the right thing to do.

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