Is there a particular stigma to divorce? Because the removal of that is what's really sent divorce rates rocketing in the west.
Yes, but almost entirely culturally driven. Jews don't tend to move far from their parents and remain emotionally wedded to them by virtue of seeing them so often. As a result the parents are consulted (or offer an opinion uninvited) on everything, from house purchases to the schools you send your kids to. You don't wanna be the Jew that has to tell your parents you're getting divorced.
There's other factors at play, obviously, but this is certainly an important one.
My missus and I are a pretty text book example of the differences. Her: non-jewish, mum lives 2 hours away, sees her a few times a year, dad fúcked off decades ago and lives in America. Me: mum and dad both within a 25-minute drive and see us Every. Fúcking. Weekend.
Obviously she doesn't mind this at all and it causes absolutely no friction. Ohhhh no. :-|
My parents in law are no trouble, really. One's in Florida and the other's in Bradford. Although the one in Florida did briefly get put in jail recently. Oh, and he managed to trigger some sort of transatlantic security alert by maliciously suggesting that a group of former Navy Seals were operating an ISIS training camp that meant Scotland Yard took an interest in his various family members :rolleyes:
Oh, and my mother-in-law has at various times been both a Jehovah's Witness and a Witch.
Other than that, they're fine, though.
Do they have partners though? Is there a risk they'll move back when they get older and become a burden on you?
We're in a timebomb situation. Four parents, all with varying dysfunctionalties, and all alone except for the one who just impregnated a 30 year old Nigerian prostitute.
The chances of us not having to look after at least one of them when they get old are slim :-(