Divorce`s Impact on Children

Divorce Impact on Children

2005 Outline

Introduction

Divorce Is Harmful

Divorce Is Not As Bad

Bad or Tolerable

Conclusion Introduction

The impact of divorce on children who lose constant contact with one or both parents has been discussed a number of times . Everybody agrees that this impact is negative the extent of the harm is , however , debated Some argue that the significance of this negative effect has been overrated . The issue is really important for the couples that feel their marriage is failing and are contemplating the possibility

of a divorce Quite a few parents are willing to sacrifice their personal happiness to keep together the family for the sake of their children . That is why the opinion of the scholars matters in deciding the fate of the families that are struggling with their problems

Divorce Is Harmful

There are numerous arguments in favor of divorce harming children . A study conducted by Judith Wallerstein in Northern California starting in 1971 describes in detail the problems faced by children from divorced families . The research spanning a ten-year period identified concern areas for kids that were mostly between 6 and 8 at the time their parents divorced and the repercussions of the divorces that were still felt ten years after , when the adolescents were starting adult life

The time of adolescence proved to be testing for most teenagers in the study some of them began to realize the absence of fathers only at this time . While most kept painful memories of the parents ' rupture , those who did not were more likely to do well in life . Interestingly , boys were more likely to suffer from psychological discomfort evidenced through low self-esteem and fear or relationships than girls . For many boys the aftermath of divorce translated into emotional constriction rigidity , and severe loneliness for a significant subgroup (Wallerstein 1987 :211

Divorce has resulted for the kids in the feeling of deprivation resulting from the removal of the fathers from their lives to a greater or lesser extent . Those who preserved a good relationship with dads were found to be more likely to be successful in their socialization irrespective of the frequency of contacts . The missing father was often called upon as a dream alternative to the working mother who did not devote enough attention to the children . Although on the surface teenagers agree that it was better to sever the ties between their parents who simply could not get along , their longing for an ideal family overrides these considerations . The father in their dreams is `someone to hug , as the dream of Katherine , one of the participants suggests (Wallerstein 1987 :213

As youngsters from divorced families venture into adult life , they are faced with difficulties exceeding those experienced by their peers from intact families . They have to learn independence earlier , as they find out that independence is their only way to survival . This is caused by both economic factors , such as lower income earned by one parent , and necessity to counteract stress caused by...