Divorced vs. Single

[LBoogie]

I've been pondering this for a few minutes

Why is there a need to differentiate between the two?

Isn't a person that's divorced "single?"

Does the "divorced" status ONLY change if a person remarries?

Why is there a need for a "divorced" box anyway?

What does being "divorced" say as opposed to being "single?"

 

[Radianthealth]

I've been pondering this for a few minutes

Why is there a need to differentiate between the two?

Isn't a person that's divorced "single?"

Does the "divorced" status ONLY change if a person remarries?

Why is there a need for a "divorced" box anyway?

What does being "divorced" say as opposed to being "single?"

Good question.

I am sure many people look at being divorced in a negative light.

It seems that there is a perceived difference between dating a 35 year old man that has never been married and a 35 year old divorcee :scratchch

 

[Makenzie]

I am divorced and have found there is a negative connotation associated with the 'd' word. Me myself simply prefers single.

 

[LBoogie]

Good question.

I am sure many people look at being divorced in a negative light.

It seems that there is a perceived difference between dating a 35 year old man that has never been married and a 35 year old divorcee :scratchch

I really don't understand the point of the "divorced" box. Especially since there seems to be a negative connotation with the word. erplexed

Like, so what if a person is divorced, why do they get their own box?

I wonder what the percentage of divorced people check the single box.

 

[LBoogie]

Also too, how long should one claim "divorced?"

Is there a statute of limitations to that status...after 5 years of being "divorced" are you officially single?

 

[Farida]

I think it goes to show how permanent of a record a marriage is, you can't just erase it. I would like to know the legal significance of it, because I too have seen it on forms but I don't understand why one has to forever select divorced.

 

[SelahOco]

I'd guess that it's from the old days when having a child out of wedlock was totally unacceptable. So perhaps on paperwork, so women didn't have to feel like their children were bastards, they would put divorced to show she was an "honest" woman with legit kids.

 

[Vinyl]

I think that in some cases, such as therapist or doctor forms, it may be because your mental state would be different if you were divorced than if you were single.

 

[glamazon386]

I've often wondered this. Technically if there are no kids does it really matter? I also agree about the negative connotation that goes with divorced. My SO is divorced and didn't tell me upfront (he just told me he was single with no kids) because he said it has scared women off in the past. People equate divorced with baggage. But anybody could have baggage.

 

[lilvudufly]

I am married so neither divorced nor single apply but I think divorced does not sound as carefree as single or detached as single. Oppose to a widower i can understand them using that reference there is a cetain class or elegeance to widower oppose to divorcee.

 

[secretdiamond]

I'd guess that it's from the old days when having a child out of wedlock was totally unacceptable. So perhaps on paperwork, so women didn't have to feel like their children were bastards, they would put divorced to show she was an "honest" woman with legit kids.

I was just gonna say this. It's not even the old days. It's still like this today. Almost every mother who I've met in a professional setting makes it well-known that her status is "Divorced" as the reason for being a mother without a ring on her finger.

In a way, I don't blame them. I wouldn't want the automatic label, stigma, and negative change of perception towards me either. It sucks, but that's just the way the world is.

 

[The Girl]

I was just gonna say this. It's not even the old days. It's still like this today. Almost every mother who I've met in a professional setting makes it well-known that she her status is "Divorced" as the reason for being a mother without a ring on her finger.

In a way, I don't blame them. I wouldn't want the automatic label, stigma, and negative change of perception towards me either. It sucks, but that's just the way the world is.

I have often told this little fib as well for the sake of not explaining my lack of ring but presence of a child.

 

[Kurlee]

divorce vs. single = baggage vs. no baggage (this is perceived of course)

 

[LBoogie]

..bump....

 

[NoNapNique]

I'd guess that it's from the old days when having a child out of wedlock was totally unacceptable. So perhaps on paperwork, so women didn't have to feel like their children were bastards, they would put divorced to show she was an "honest" woman with legit kids.

It also has something to do with this hush-hush theory of marriage being some sort of "status symbol", and how some people feel above/or better than others who are not married (whether kids are involved or not)... Therefore, having already BEEN married at *some point* in your life will get you brownie points. Petty, but true