How children are affected by divorce

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Outline

Divorce is the separation of a legally married couple that happens when there are irreconcilable differences between the husband and the wife The main culprits in this painful process are the children who are affected variously depending on the age as the is going to discuss

Introduction

The divorce process is usually seen as the only legal pathway for a married couple to separate because of what is usually termed as irreconcilable differences ' between the two warring parties (Emery 116

. While this maybe the only solution ' for the two parties to continue having an enjoyable and peaceful lives without each other the children depending on age are affected in a great way , this has far reaching psychological effects on the innocent children whose self esteem and image is subsequently severed

The separation of a husband and wife in a divorce situation can have serious and devastating effects not only for the separating couples but for the children as well . Often times the divorcing couples are too consumed with their own emotional burdens to clearly understand the trauma the divorce causes to the children . Children seemingly bear the brunt of the separation especially psychologically . However , not all divorces end up hurting children . Children in an abusive and violent marriage may in fact be spared much of the physiological torture if the parents separated . Thus divorce can sometimes be a welcome process for the well being of the children (Emery , 126 ) Various studies have in fact indicated that some children actually thrive better after being brought up in a divorce environment . Children become more responsible and loving especially because they are raised by a single parent However , it is critical to note that the negative effects much more outweigh the positive effects (Emery , 123

So , how are children affected by divorce ? Sociologists , psychologists and other researchers have continued to study this question and sometimes it has generated so much controversy . However , all agree that indeed divorce most often times is not good for children especially when the family unit is at risk . Studies have continued to show that children equate divorce to the pain of death of one of the parents . The experience itself brings great loss , sadness , grief and in many cases confusion to the affected children . Children may also end up blaming themselves for what has happened and tend to think that parents do not love them any more (Emery , 123 . Such effects haunt the children for a long time sometimes extending even in old age and are reflected in the behavior they exhibit

Research world over has continued to indicate that the effects of divorce differ because of various factors the age of the child at the time of divorce , the gender and the personality of the child , the level of family /friends support and the extent of the conflict between the parents

Age of children

Divorce does not have any serious effects on children less than 3 years Why children at...