Impact of Divorce on Children



Impact of Divorce on Children

Introduction

Life event that I have chosen for the discussion of this paper is “divorce”. This paper will give an analysis of the Impact of divorce on children. Firstly, I have given an introduction of the topic so that a comprehensive understanding could be developed.

According to psychologists, Divorce is a stressful situation, threatening the mental equilibrium of one or both partners, and especially children. The situation of divorce in the family causes significant harm to the mental health of both partners and their children, for which there cannot be divorced from either the father or mother. Parents cannot be strangers for the children's. It is dissolution of marriage, in which the consent of both the partners generally exists. Marriage is not only terminated or dissolute by the decision of the spouses, but it also terminated by law. In particular, if one spouse has died or declared dead by a court, then the marriage is terminated. Many believe that divorce occurs more frequently in the modern United States as compared with other societies. However, anthropologists have reported comparable number of divorces among hunting and gathering societies to those in modern-day industrial societies. For example, the highest rates of divorce in 20th century were in Malaysia and Indonesia, which surpassed the U.S. record rates of 1981 (Williams & Bryant, 2006).

Depending on the society, ease of divorce varies. Marriage is much easier to dissolve in societies where marriage is more of a singular affair. In other societies where marriage represents a political and social union between families and communities, divorce is more difficult. Considerable bride wealth and replacement marriages work to preserve group alliances and thus decrease divorce rates.

Analysis

Impact of Divorce on Children

There is much discussion in the fields of psychology and sociology about the effects of separation and divorce on children. Older children are more likely than younger children to live in a household without one biological parent. There is some evidence that children from separated and divorced families do less well in their academic achievements, but this depends on many variables such as age, gender, the circumstances of their parents' separation, and the ongoing relationship between parents and children. Younger children can become unsettled and “clingy,” while older children can blame themselves for one parent leaving the family home (Wang & Amato, 2000).

There are also potential problems with lower self-esteem, truancy, health problems, and problems forming long-term relationships themselves later in life. Loss of a male role model may be significant to children, particularly boys, but there is evidence to support the argument that if other male role models are available in the family, these effects can be alleviated.

For some children, divorce may be a release from some of the negative aspects of their parents' relationship; for example, domestic violence or frequent arguments. The bond in particular between daughters and mothers can become stronger after divorce. If children see their parents happier after separation and perhaps in new, happier relationships, this can have a ...