Divorced Parents

   The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are 2,077,000 marriages in the United States.  The marriage rate is 6.8 per 1,000 total population.  The divorce rate is 3.4 per 1,000 population.
   Brittany Skinner, a senior at George Mason University, is the daughter of divorced parents.  Brittany has one older sister and one younger sister.  Her parents, Alan and Carol, got divorced when Brittany was just 12-years-old.
   Brittany's older sister knew that the divorce was going to happen and had prepared herself for it.  Brittany was very upset when she found out and was very angry.  She really took it out on her mom because her dad had moved out.  Brittany's younger sister took it the hardest.  She wouldn't talk to her mom for a while.
   Brittany and her sisters eventually came around and began to work on their relationships with each other and their parents.  Brittany says, "My sisters and I had differing opinions about the divorce and we clashed a lot, but we tried to understand and respect each other.  My dad and I used to not get along very well, but after the divorce we got a lot closer.  I am close to my mom, but my dad and I have a very special relationship.  Now that I am older I understand why they divorced and I am grateful for the relationships that I have with both of my sisters and both of my parents."

Brittany with her sisters & dad

Brittany with her sisters & mom