Effect of Divorce on Children Under 18

Abstract

The process of divorce starts with the marital dissonance or emotional divorce and ends at serious crises finally in the dissolution the marriage (Pfeffer, 1981). Similarly, studies show that, children whose parents get divorced experience a deep trauma and grief psychologically and mentally that is far not much different from a sorrow that is after the death of a parent. The rate of divorce rose to about 79% in American states between 1970 and 1977 making it more dramatic. 40-50% ends with divorce (first marriages) in the US that affects 1 million children every year (US Census Bureau, 2002). There are many issues faced by the children that encompass the developmental issues on the forefront. There are many factors playing a vital role in a child's learning process to tackle the new problems and syndromes generated by the divorce of their parents (Kelly, 1981). This Paper summarizes the findings undertaken to find out the effects of divorce on children under 18.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Thesis Statement4

Introduction4

Discussion5

Effects of Divorce on Children Under 185

Psychological problems:5

Behavioral issues5

Effects on education and academic performance5

Social and ethical issues6

Mental frustration and depression6

Involvement in crime and drugs6

Comparative studies7

Research statistics:7

Conclusion:8

References10

Effects of Divorce on Children Under 18

Thesis Statement

Divorces of the parents generally become the cause of psychological, behavioral and other social issues relating to the children under the age of 18. They are more vulnerable to these issues as compared to the others.

Introduction

In addition to the children experiencing their parent being divorce, one-third are born with unmarried parents and these conditions are even worse than the divorce of the married ones (Casper & Bianchi, 2002). A lot of social scientists have attempted to determine the effect of the divorce children and the consequences it has on the social lives of those kids. The studies show that the children move through many psychological and social problems. They are exposed to behavioral, academic and social issues as well comparatively to the children who are brought by two-parent families (Amato & Keith 1991).

Thus, many children have to experience the divorce or the broken relationships of their parents. Divorce implies a lot of disturbances (including emotional, financial and residential problems) on children who are under age of 18 and as well as to their parents. In short, divorce can be regarded as the factor of risk in the psychological, behavioral and social problems among children. These children suffer from both long term and short terms effects.

Discussion

Effects of Divorce on Children Under 18

Psychological problems:

Studies have proved that the effects of the constant problems and conflicts on children lead to feeling of insecurity, chronic stress self blame and guilt. They also have a feeling of being helpless and suffer the fear of their physical safety, as well. They develop a sense of being neglected, unresponsiveness and rejected. The feeling of being unwanted overwhelms their personalities. They have a lack of interest in the well being of their family and their society (Florida Bar Journal April 1, 2010.) Teenagers from the single parent families ...