International Journal of Systemic Therapy

Divorce Around the World

Divorce is legal in almost every country in the world. It is a major family life cycle transition irrespective of geographic location and culture. However, how couples, children, families, and communities navigate divorce, and how couple and family therapists (CFTs) support clients at this extremely vulnerable time varies widely. The purpose of this special issue is to explore the diverse ways that families move through the transition of divorce across the world and how CFTs can and do help.

We are seeking submissions to this special issue that address:

• Descriptions or comparisons of divorce processes across cultural, legal, or religious contexts
• How collectivist vs. individualist cultural values shape divorce experiences and therapeutic approaches.
• Divorce in contexts where it remains socially stigmatized or legally restricted, and the clinical challenges for therapists.
• Indigenous, local, or culturally specific family healing practices related to marital dissolution.
• Experiences of divorce among diaspora, immigrant, and transnational families.
• Innovative treatment approaches rooted in local culture with the goal of:
  • Making the decision to divorce
  • Reducing co-parenting conflict
  • Or supporting children through divorce transitions.
• How particular legal systems (e.g., common law, civil law, religious law) influence divorce processes and therapeutic services
• Collaboration between family therapists and legal professionals
• Role changes, identity shifts, and family boundary reorganization after separation in cultural context
• Divorce in the context of migration, displacement, or conflict.