Based on sociological and economic analysis, Good Intentions Gone Awry: No-Fault Divorce and the American Family presents valuable new insights into the impact of divorce on American society. Rather than blaming the deterioration in the quality of family life on the decline in so-called "family values", lawyer and economist Parkman argues that adults are responding to the incentives created by new opportunities and legal rules. He asserts that no-fault divorce statutes, which often allow either spouse to dissolve a marriage with only limited consideration for or compensation to their spouse and children, have had a central role in altering these incentives by reducing the motivation for adults to make a long-term commitment to their family or other concessions that would otherwise benefit marriage. The resulting inordinate emphasis placed by adults on their career and best interests rather than the best interests of their family have contributed to the decline in marriage often with disastrous effects for adults and their children. Parkman discusses the issues surrounding this sociological phenomena, proposes a reform program in response, and suggests steps that adults can take to create a durable and constructive family until such reforms occur.

About the Author
Allen M. Parkman is the Regents' Professor of Management at the University of New Mexico. His articles on the family have appeared in numerous journals, including theAmerican Economic Review, theInternational Review of Law and Economics, theFamily Law Quarterly, and theABA Journal.

Reviews
This is an engaging, detailed, balanced, and provocative book that anyone interested in understanding divorce should read. Alan Parkman shows why the humane intentions behind no-fault divorce failed. Good Intentions Gone Awry applies the perspective of an economist to the issue of divorce. Parkman argues that current divorce laws create incentives that induce adults to make decisions that are against their own best interest as well as those of their family. -- Steve Nock, University of Virginia
This is a really excellent book. It is a testament to the power of economic reasoning. It documents the negative consequences of the modern 'no-fault' divorce revolution, and explains clearly and simply why these outcomes are just what economic theory would predict. The author makes a strong case for reforming the existing law and making divorce conditional on the mutual consent of both husband and wife. This book should be required reading for academics, judges, and law-makers in both North America and elsewhere. -- Robert Rowthorn, Cambridge University
An intelligent, lucid, and up-to-date review and analysis of divorce law in America, with some proposed changes in the law that deserve serious consideration. -- David Popenoe, Rutgers University, author of Life Without Father



Book Information
ISBN 9780847698691
Author Allen M. Parkman
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 336g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 149mm * 15mm