Divorced, without Children

Women divorced at midlife without children are a group that is "out of sync" in a society that is still primarily a "married, mothering" world. This book explores the clinical issues, dilemmas, and challenges for women in this role. The book presents a solution focused, relational/constructionist clinical approach and therapeutic techniques for working with these women. Application of clinical techniques and case examples are presented, and new concepts for women's recovery and development such as role innovation, meaning modification, autonomous competence, and an expanded family life cycle are also suggested in the book.

Debra D. Castaldo

Prologue: Fairy Tales, Myths, and Legendary Creatures. Introduction. Overview, Trends, Historical Perspectives, and Clinical Issues. Out of Sync in a Married Mothering World. How Did We Get Here? Trends and Concepts. Midlife Divorce for Women in a Married World. Childless in a Mothering World. Telling Life Stories: Constructions, Narratives, and Beliefs. Paralyzing or Empowering: The Power of Socially Constructed Beliefs. Out on a Limb: Beliefs About Role Exit, Transition, and Adjustment. The Women Speak. A Relational/Constructionist Approach. Sponsoring, Re-storying, and Fostering Connection. No Time is a Good Time for Goodbye - The Case of Sara.