...The Impact of Divorce on Children A Review how Divorce Impact Children under 18 Liberty University Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to understand the impact of divorce on children under 18. Each year over million Americans children experience the divorce of their parents, Divorces causes irreparable damage to all involved, but most specifically to the children. A major impact of divorce is on the children and parent relationship. The pain experienced by children is stressful as they see their family brake-down and disconnect as a hole. It take them to a dark place of emotionally and psychologically, thwarting upon the child well – being. Divorce negative impacts individuals and society in numerous other ways, such as religious practice, financial struggles, social skills and life styles, as well as children health and well-being. It is very important for parents to not let their children see any conflicts between them, and be able to co-parent with a line of communication that would be beneficial to the child development and growth. As a parent we all want the best for our children. When adults get married pray to keep their marriage together, until death do them apart. When there are kids involved most parents do their best to keep their family together for the sake of the children. Sadly to say it’s not always that simple, and the children end up suffering from their parents’ divorce. Divorcing parents are usually very concerned about the welfare...
Words: 1625 - Pages: 7
...What is the Impact of divorce on children and adolescents? RUCHISMITA Initial Reactions of Children to Divorce 1. Divorce is an intensely stressful experience for all children, regardless of age or developmental level; many children are inadequately prepared for the impending divorce by their parents. A study in 1980 found that less than 10% of children had support from adults other than relatives during the acute phase of the divorce. 2. The pain experienced by children at the beginning of a divorce is composed of: a sense of vulnerability as the family disintegrates, a grief reaction to the loss of the intact family. 3. Many children do not realize their parents' marriage is troubled), loss of the non-custodial parent, a feeling of intense anger as the disruption of the family, and strong feelings of powerlessness. 4. Unlike bereavement or other stressful events, it is almost unique to divorcing families that as children experience the onset of this life change, usual and customary support systems tend to dissolve, though the ignorance or unwillingness of adults to actively seek out this support for children. Developmental Considerations in the Response of Children 1. A major focus of the scholarly literature on divorce is the grouping of common reactions of children by age groups. 2. Preschool (ages 3-5): These children are likely to exhibit a regression of the most recent developmental milestone achieved. Additionally, sleep disturbances and an exacerbated fear of...
Words: 1750 - Pages: 7
...Impact of Divorce on Children March 23, 2014 PSYC 210 How does divorce impact the lives of children? Will the children be fine with the decision or will they have some sort of breakdown. Divorce can effect children differently depending on the ages of the children at the time. For example a child that is two, who would not understand the concept of divorce but may understand that there is tension in the house. After the divorce, although it may take a few months’ things will become normal. Whereas if the child was ten then a divorce would cause some behavioral issues and issues in school. If the divorce impacts the child negatively will the children have negative views on marriage and if so will children those chose not to marry? Each child handles divorce differently depending on age and gender, the long term effects also differ from child to child. These are the questions I hope to answer in my research paper. According to researchers fifty percent of first marriages end in a divorce. The percentage rates for second and third marriages are even higher, between sixty and seventy percent. Although marriages with children have a lower divorce rate there is still a twenty to thirty percent rate of divorce between married couples with children. Fifty percent of children are from divorced families. Children who are from a divorced family generally have a greater chance of getting a divorce when they marry as well. Most...
Words: 1675 - Pages: 7
...LESSEN THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE Michael Jennings DeVry University Lessen the Impact of Divorce Charlie is 9 years old and lives in a single parent home where the parent works to support the family, where not much time is spent with Charlie, who must figure certain things out on his own. Where does Charlie go after school? If no one is home having Charlie home alone is not a very good option. If siblings or friends are there but, no adult is present during the after school hours, home is still not a very good option. The term “latch-key” kid is one who has their own key to their home and is expected to be home with minimal supervision. Once a child reaches a certain responsible age, being a latch-key kid often makes sense. Charlie must get home safe from school, stay out of trouble, and complete his homework, with little to no adult supervision. After-school activities should be available to Charlie because he may not be responsible enough or his parents may not trust him to be home alone yet. Everyone is affected by the consequences of parental divorce, especially the children involved. In any society, the children are the future. In the United States alone, 40 to 50% of first marriages end in divorce, according to the American Psychological Association. As citizens of the United States, we are all stakeholders of our future and should care about the well-being of all our children, especially those of disadvantaged environments such as parental divorce. Additional resources...
Words: 2446 - Pages: 10
...Impact of Divorce on Children Today in society, it is not unusual for a kid to know a friend whose parents are divorced or currently going through the process. It is more and more common for couples these days to separate after years of marriage than it was back in the day. Many adults, however, do not realize the consequences that can come from this when their kids are involved. Dealing with their parents' divorce is not easy for some and can highly affect the way a kid performs in school. Such a huge change in their life can cause health problems that can be life threatening and dangerous. The whole situation is extremely stressing and it leads to the use of drug abuse sometimes in order to find peace. These problems arise when a kid does not know how to deal with the divorce or are having a hard time with it because their parents are also having a difficult time. Parents should make sure they do everything in their power to make sure the divorce process goes easy and smooth and unpainful for everyone, especially the kids; they tend to suffer more out of everyone and can be severely affected by it if the situation isn not handled well by both parents. Dealing with change has a different effect on people. Some take it well, while some simply cannot deal with it. Children are known not to handle change very well, especially when it does not go the way they wanted it to. When dealing with their parent's separation, they tend to go through a bunch of emotions. Some may even...
Words: 819 - Pages: 4
...“What is the impact of parental separation in young children and how can parents support their children throughout and after separation?” Separation can be a very daunting experience in young children’s lives and can impact severely on their growing skills; such as communication and social skills. Children can become vulnerable. Children need the continuing affection and support of both parents. “Not all parents are able to continue a relationship with their children after separation. There are no easy solutions to these difficult situations” According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of children under 18 years of age affected by divorce has decreased from 46,337 in 2010 to 43,867 in 2011. The average number of children per divorce was 1.9. Although there were no statistics taken recently, the numbers show a significant amount of children affected by divorce. During my survey of ‘impact of separation on children’, 100% of the people taking the survey knew someone that has been divorced or separated with children. My first key finding is that because of a young child’s sense of time perception, that separation between the child and the parent has a confronting impact on their emotional wellbeing. Children under two will often have a stronger emotional and physical dependence on their primary carer. A child at that age has a vastly different concept of time compared to older children, leading to issues with parenting arrangements. The needs of the child need...
Words: 1198 - Pages: 5
...The Impact of Divorce on Children PSYC 210-D06 Abstract Divorce has become a new common way of life in our current society that we find ourselves in. We must understand the impact that divorce has on children as it plays a major role on a family physically and emotionally. In this research you will see how divorce impacts children under the age of 18, that divorce has an impact on children. This paper will also provide solutions to assist the children on how to manage. Most often when children experience a feeling of not needing to move forward due to such a drastic change like divorce. Finally, in this research paper, you will see ways to help a child adjust after divorce. Divorce has a strong impact on children based inversely on their ages. Sociologist and psychologist have considered that a child under the age of 3 does not always hurt from their parents divorced. They have agreed that problems in temperament can developed if the child had a strong bond between the parents and those connections are broken due to the divorce. According to “Paternal Participation and Children’s Well-Being After Marital Dissolution” we can see the effect in the different stages of their lives: Children ages 3-5 frequently blame themselves for the divorce. The impact leads them to imagine that they are the source of their parents divorcing. Elementary school children are cognitively established enough to understand that they are in pain because the divorce. Accordingly, they...
Words: 1009 - Pages: 5
...The Impact of Divorce on Children Lisa Greatwhite Liberty University PSYC 210-D07 Abstract Compared to forty years ago the divorce rate has increased at an alarming rate. Leaving the children torn and confused about their lives before and after. Children that where once seen as resilient are now seen as vulnerable. There is a vast amount of research that supports how children are affected before, during and after their parents’ divorce. Some of the issues that impact children can cause short-term psychological issues. Leaving those children that are affected to act out in various ways, from regressing backward in the developmental process to psychosocial well-being as it relates to academic performance. Long-term effects for children that result from divorce remain present throughout life. The adult child of divorce may carry unresolved issues into their own relationships. This behavior can put the adult child in high risk for divorce. With this understanding many schools and courts are beginning to offer ways to help children emotionally and socially through counseling and interventions. The Impact of Divorce on Children The research conducted on the divorce rate in the last decade has shown a steady climb. Daniel Pickar (2003), stated in an article from Sonoma county Medical Association, “Forty percent of all children growing up in America today will experience a parental divorce”. (Pickar 2003, p. 1) Most contributed the drastic increase to the court laws on what...
Words: 1764 - Pages: 8
...The Impact of Divorce on Children Jennifer Maples Liberty University Abstract When parents reject each other by divorce that eventually ends in totally separate lives for the father and the mother, the strengths of their children are not as developed as they could be, and ore weaknesses occur in major outcomes such as derivations, addictions, abuse and failure. When fathers and mothers belong to each other in marriage their children thrive, when they are indifferent or walk away from each other or reject each other, their children do not thrive as much, and many wilt a lot. The children of parents who reject each other suffer: in deep emotional pain, ill health, depression, anxiety, even shortened life span; more drop out of school, less go to college, they earn less income, they develop more addictions to drugs and alcohol, and they engage in increased violence or suffer it within their homes. Society also suffers with more gangs, more assaults, more violence against women and children, more sexual abuse of women and children, and much bigger bills for jails, increased need for health care supplemental education, addiction programs, foster care, homelessness programs, and on and on. The expansion of all these social program budgets is directly linked to the breakdown of marriage. When mothers and fathers belong to each other and strive to belong to God in worship the greatest strengths emerge and the least problems are present. All Children are affected by divorce...
Words: 1992 - Pages: 8
...Case Study This case study involves a child committing a terrible crime against another child. There is developmental reason s to support the law which states children under age 7 are not held responsible for crimes. As we go through life, we will find that a balance brain is most effective. This balance has not been found during early childhood. Children see m to lose their interest quickly. “Between ages 2 and 6, the brain grows from 75 percent to 90 percent of adult weight, with increases particularly in the areas that allow advanced language and social understanding (Berger, 2011, p.212).” Parents should continue to watch their children closely during these developmental stages. They should listen to what their child is telling them and continue to assist them in their daily activities. The activities that a child does during this development are slower than a teenager because the information is processed slower. Expressions and the regulation of emotions are found in the limbic system of the brain. Emotions are registered in the amygdala part of the brain. These emotions can be positive or negative. Fear is especially found in this part of the brain. The amygdala is the size and has the shape of an almond. It can be found deep in the brain. A child’s imagination is found in the amygdala (Berger, 2011). This child may was afraid of the other child due to the playground scuffle that they had on the previous day. During this stage in a child’s life, they are paying...
Words: 728 - Pages: 3
...Divorce and Its Possible Negative Effects on Children The purpose of this essay is to discuss divorce and its possible negatives impacts on the family, particularly children. In today’s society, divorce is a very common occurrence in families across the country. And, because of this fact many studies have dedicated a significant amount of attention to divorce and how it impacts families and children. Divorce has become an acceptable method of resolution when difficulties arise in the marriage, which may imply to some that a great deal of emphasis is no longer placed on keeping the family intact. In recent years, statistics show that over 60 percent of marriages in this country end in divorce, and this fact has some researchers and psychologists arguing that not only has divorce left the home broken, but many of the children that are products of this divide are showing signs of brokenness as well. The relationships that one shares with members of their family are often times the most significant bonds that are formed throughout one’s lifetime. As a result when these meaningful relationships are threatened by breakups, ultimately ending in divorce the negative impact can be prove to be severe. This is mainly true when the family relationship changes in a way where it becomes unfamiliar to the family members involved, and this is especially the case when there are children involved. When parents decide to divorce, many children find that it is very difficult to express and...
Words: 859 - Pages: 4
...society, divorce is on the rise. Children of divorced parents experience many issues. The impact affects all developmental stages of children. Emotional and behavioral problems can begin in the preschool stage of development. In the early latency stage, children tend to have fear and fantasize that their parents will get back together. In the late latency stage, children will label one parent good and one parent bad based on their own needs. In Adolescence, children become depressed and suicidal. Some will even question their future martial relationships. Overall divorce can affect a child’s life whether it is their academics, behaviors, sexuality, parent child relationships, economic status or psychological development. This paper will discuss how divorce can have life altering effects on a child. According to Peck and Manocherian (1988), divorce has become an endemic to the American society. Almost 50 percent of couples choose divorce. Berger (2008) states one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. Divorce is also more likely to occur within the first five years after marriage (Berger, 2008). By this time most couples have had children. Therefore the impact divorce has on children can affect many aspects of their life. When the initial impact of divorce takes place, the child sometimes feels like they are to blame (Fritz, 2002). Therefore the parents must reassure the children that is not the case. Children need a chance to understand and talk about the impact of divorce...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
...Psychological Impact of Divorce on Children Shantay Gonzalez Liberty University Abstract While divorce can most notably affect the adults in the relationship in a negative way, children also have a number of challenges that can be overlooked. Due to their inability to process certain aspects of life, children become susceptible to psychological trauma as a result of the divorce that unfortunately go unnoticed. Many children display antisocial behavior, an increase in externalizing behaviors, poor emotion regulation, and other maladaptive coping styles. While prevention is typically best to avoid potential psychological influences on adults and children alike, many programs have been established to work with children specifically who have been impacted by divorce. Post-divorce interventions focus primarily and solely on the children are necessary to the psychological health of children impacted by divorce. Still, there is a need for improvement in interventions such as preventative programs during the divorce proceedings that will allow the child to express their emotions and social perspectives. Keywords: divorce, children, psychological impact, behavior Psychological Impact of Divorce on Children The cases of divorce have been gaining ground since 1965 (Hetherington, 1979). Even by prior statistical reports, there seems to be no break in the amount of divorce cases filed each year. Couples get divorced for a number of reasons such as financial strain, incompatibility...
Words: 1586 - Pages: 7
...The Impact of Divorce on Children under Eighteen Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx L33333333 Liberty University Abstract Today, practically everyone knows someone who has been divorced. It is sad, but true. Nearly half of all marriages in the United States today end in divorce. As recently as the 1990’s, nearly fifteen million children faced the life-changing crisis of a divorce. Most of these children were under eight years of age. Approximately one million new children each year go through divorce. According to the 2010 US Bureau of the Census data collection, more than half of school-age children will have spent substantial time living with a single parent or in a stepfamily. Children of divorced families may suffer life-long mental issues resulting from childhood experiences. This research paper will focus on the biosocial, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual impacts of divorce that can be placed upon children under the age of eighteen. The results of this study are to help counselors to assist children in their time of need. Keywords: children, divorce, families The Impact of Divorce on Children under Eighteen It may be help for us to understand something about divorce and the typical effects it has on families. The divorce rate of first marriages in the United States is at fifty percent. That is the highest in the world. Second marriages has a rate even higher, it is sixty-seven...
Words: 2264 - Pages: 10
...Abstract This paper explores the impact of divorce on children under the age of eighteen with research studies reported by internet and non internet resources such as, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, American Journal of Family Law and also author written research by Elisabeth Joy Lamotte and Kathleen Stassen Berger. Since 1973 at least one million children have been affected by divorce and typically one out of two marriages ends in divorce. The truth remains that marriage does offer greater benefits to children rather than divorce such as a higher standard of living, exposure to effective and cooperative parenting, greater parent-child bonding, and less stress overall. This paper will cover the psychological impact of divorce on children under the age of eighteen from infancy to toddlers all the way through adolescence and on to adulthood. References Berger, Stassen Kathleen (2010). The Developing Person Through the Lifespan Eighth Edition. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Lamotte, Joy Elisabeth (2008). Overcoming Your Parents Divorce. Far Hills, NJ: New Horizon Press. McGuinness, Teena M, PhD (2006). Marriage, Divorce, and Children. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services. Portnoy, Sandford M, PhD (2008). The Psychology of Divorce: A Lawyer's Primer, Part 2: The Effects of Divorce on Children. American Journal of Family Law. Child Study Center (2001). Divorce and Children. Retrieved from http://www.aboutourkids.org/files/articles/sep_oct_1...
Words: 257 - Pages: 2
