rr;i1l
n
The fear 'lisle words Vhst did you say?" cr the
cndnirg phrase 'I hear you" msy become the niggle
lar::r;:5 '-of marital harmony if divorces are tD, prevented
in fee future. .
The number of divorces in Nebraska increased by 27
per cent between 1972 and 1975, and lack of ccanrnimka-
tion is the prcblera rscLt lhted by filing couples. ..
""Divorces seem to be becoming easier in every part of
the world, especially in the Scandinavian countries," said
Nicholas Babchuk, UNL sociology professor, who
teaches a course .about marriage and the family. The UJS.
divorce rate increase was prefaced by increases in many
other European and Scandinavian countries, according
. to Babchuk. , ..
"We're pretty much near the peak in the dirovce rate,""
Babchuk said. He said lie thinks the divorce rate will
stop rising as soon as Americans ""get used to values and
different modes of living" which have changed faster than
the roles and living patterns of husbands and wives.
Women's roles change
Although Babchuk attributed the increasing number of
divorces to sexual freedom, Americans' ""special kind of
mobility and freedom" and relaxed divorce laws, lie cited
the changing role of women as the main cause of the
increase. . .
The changing role of women in our society means
that an ever-increasing number of them can fend for them
selves and don't have to take the abuses that can often
accompany marriage," said Babcb.uk. lf s much easier to
live now without being married than it used to be.""
Another result of changing sex roles as that more
people who are marrying aren't laving children, or are
only having one child," Babchuk said. Divorce is much
easier for those couples than it is for large families, he
said.
He said many problems can reflect a communication
problem- between husband and wife, but he thinks that
communication lias become too much of a catch-all
term" that is blamed for an infinity of other problems.
.v. Happy? ; .
""It's hard to know if people are happy or less happy
than they used to be" with men: marriages, lie said.
Because Nebraskans ""tend to be rural and the state is
populated with older people," Babchuk said, he thinks the
state's divorce rate probably was lower than the national
average.
He mentioned California as an example of a state that
ha a disproportionate number of young people in its pop
ulation, and one that would tend to have a higher divorce
rate than Nebraska.
Babchuk said he doubted students were more likely to
be divorced man oilier persons, but he said divorce is
often a result of marr'ing at an early age, lack of
education or knowing protective spouses far a short "
time, lie also said people who get married at an early age
are more likely than elder couples to have ja&v
problems. ... " .' - .
Cobles wait f er diverse
: . Young couples sometimes discover their marlkges are '
a mistake during their first year together, but often fa! .
to file cor complete the divorce process until the third
year of marriage, according to Babchuk.
Marriage contracts are being considered by some states
as a solution which might help ease divorce rates, Babchuk
said. In those contracts couples stipulate before the
wedding wLat they . expect from msrrkge. Iisg ira
tions, hottsshcld obligations and property christian
can be included ia the contracts.
Bibdiuk said msrrir.e contracts could result in' fewer
pxecipitioas marrkges."
While' Bsbehuk was guarded in Ms estimate cf the
effects his course ! inirs i::l the YzsrZy Las cn stunts
, who later marry, he did say he hopes Ms students we
more realistic about marriEse after taking Hie course.
He said seme of his students who marry have told him
his course was helpful, and he even has received invita
tions to weddings from some cf his students.
miiiee works for changes
Dy Bsrbsra Ltriz
The Government Liaison Committee (GLC) is the
""most active and most successful" of ASUN's more than
15 committees and subcommittees, Scott Cook, GLC vice
chairman for national affairs, said.
Cook said he bases his opinion on his experience as an
ASUN and member cf several cornrnitees.
Three areas cf concentration for GLC are national
issues, headed hy Cook, state issues, headed by John
Welch and Greg Johnson, and city and local issues headed
by Kent Thompson.
Thompson said a city-related issue affecting students is
a high downpayment required by Cengas before installa
tion of gas service. GLC is negotiating with Cengas,
Thompson said, to reduce the size of this deposit
Students living off-campus are faced wiih gas bills and
Tent as well as tuition, he said, often at the same time.
Renting changes wanted
GLC also is lobbying for changes in the landlord
tenant law, Thompson said. A proposal calls for a
monetary fine against landlords if they don't return the
initial deposit within a specified amount of time, he said.
A bus route circling East Campus and parts cf north
cast Lincoln also is a GLC brainchild, Thompson said. A
survey will he taken of East Campus students to judge the
feasibility of a route from 56th to 27th streets and
Vine to Madison streets.
A big problem with many proposals is financing,
Thompson said. The Lincoln Transportation System
estimated the proposed route would cost $36 for a
minimum of two hours, he added.
Thompson ud it would be xecessary to charge 360
students 10 cents a piece, but each bus holds only 50
persons. y
National issues became an active issue of GLC for the
first time this year, Cock said. ASUN paid 55C0 to
become a member of the National Student Lobby.
Issues to he decided . . .
Tilth the arrival of more information about the lobby,
Cook said, national issue for GLC w21 be formulated.
Cook said GLC has been sending letters of congratula
tions to winning candidates, such as Hep. Charles Thone,
Rep. John Cavanaugh and Sen. Edward Zorinsky.
The work of GLC is either ASUNbrecled, or self
initiated, T7elch said, but the "overriding factor is student
interest."
Thompson said the ASUN "senate body doesn't say
much" and Tm pretty much on my own what I do ".
don't get as much feedback as Fd like,"" said, "i
could be reassured of what Tm doing."
However, Cook said there has been ""a lot of ASUN
feedback, the most we've ever had on GLC" He also said,
""ASUN hasn't been active in directing us this ytsC
Thompson members cf GLC don't have a dose
rapport with city and state officials. ""We only talk to
them (to ask for) advice,"" he said.
City officials are "really open, hut they won't stick
their foot forward" Thompson said. ""They don't want
to change any programs "
An example, - he said, is the "very unreceplive
attitude" of City Traffic Engineer Bob Holsmger.
Thompson said GLC has tried to get alight on 9th St, and
to slow traffic en I7th St, hut the city is not willing to
-doit " . ;
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