Divorce in the Kibbutz:

Lesson to Be Drawn

1. Why did the author choose to conduct his research in the kibbutz?

a. The kibbutz is an excellent illustration in which there is an overlapping

area of conflict resulting from the dissolution of marriage.
b. In the kibbutz, one is able to examine the essence of authentic emotional
divorce.
c. The kibbutz is an example where arguments over material items and child
custody do not exist.
d. In the kibbutz, a couple does not have to cope with a legal system that
encourages adversarial positions.

2. A. Why is the American woman mentioned in the text?

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B. List 3 things that characterize her situation after she is divorced?

a. ____________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________

3. What are the 3 objectives of this article?

a. ___________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________

4. What is the difference between the rate of divorce in kibbutz and in non-
kibbutz settings?

a. There is almost no difference in the rate of divorce in kibbutz and non-

kibbutz settings.
b. The divorce rate in the kibbutz is much lower than it was 20 years ago.
c. Parents in the kibbutz are spending a lot of their free time with their
children, who now mostly live and sleep at home.
d. The fact that children now live at home proves that the collective ideas of
the kibbutz have failed.
e. The kibbutz is unique in that it reduces the importance of the nuclear
family.

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5. What effect does a close relationship between family members have on
divorce?

a. When family members spend time together they get to know one
another and work out problems together.
b. When family members spend a lot of time together there is more friction,
which may lead to divorce.
c. Although couples with children at home have higher marital satisfaction,
they have greater financial burdens and stress.
d. The communal institutions are now handling the problems that used to
be handled by the parents; thus conflict was avoided.

6. Does the author mention Levinger, Stuart, and Beck to support his argument?

Yes / No (circle the correct answer)

Support your answer with a quote from the text:

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7. According to the author, are the results of his research applicable in non-
kibbutz environments?

a. No. It is impossible to draw conclusions from his findings about kibbutz

societies.
b. It is difficult for him to draw conclusions from his findings about kibbutz
societies.
c. Yes. He is convinced that it is possible to draw conclusions from his
findings about kibbutz societies.
d. He is not interested in drawing conclusion from his findings about kibbutz
societies.

8. According to the author, do men initiate divorce more often than women?

Yes / No (circle the correct answer)

Support your answer with a quote from the text:

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9. What is the main factor of divorce in the kibbutz?

a. Physical abuse or the chronic alcoholism of one of the spouses.

b. Open conflicts, disputes and quarrels between the two spouses.
c. Covert conflict which may suddenly flare up in the form of loud quarrels
and vicious attacks.
d. A feeling of alienation and estrangement on the part of one of the
spouses.

10. Define "collective contagion"? (paragraph 22).

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11. According to the section, “Affective Responses to Separation,” which factor

might be an influence on the severity of distress?

a. Infertility
b. Length of marriage
c. Family income
d. Display of severe sadness (or regret)

12. In the section entitled "When Ex-spouses remain in the same kibbutz," what is
the view of the kibbutz community regarding the divorced couple?

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13. What is the conclusion of the article?

a. Kibbutz couples remain in the kibbutz which makes life difficult for the children
.
b. Emotional responses to divorce are similar both in kibbutz and non-kibbutz
settings.
c. The universality of the human condition ensures the opportunity for
constructive change.
d. The complexity of post divorce adjustment does not allow for new
meaningful relationships.

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