Children With Divorced Parents

Title: Children’s behaviors with divorced or separated parents

Thesis: Through psychological research, divorce statistics, and evaluations, children can have long-term effects when being raised with separated parents and this can determine their behaviors.

In today’s world, most people accept divorce or separation as a way of life. Parents are unaware or do not understand the damage it can have on their children. However, in some instances, it is better to get out of an abusive relationship because that can be as toxic as divorce. On average, 50% of children who are born with married parents, will experience divorce before the age of 18 (Children and Divorce & Baucom, 2010-2017). Along with divorce statistics, 40% of children in America

Although, a child whose parents are married and experience conflict often resolve the problem and demonstrate good methods of coping. A child who comes from a divorced parent background may not get proper methods of coping because they do not have both parents present. Young children will listen to their parents’ arguing and may think they are to blame (Gordon, Arbuthnot, Center for Divorce Education, & Divorce Magazine, 2015-2017). This can often lead to guilt, fear, and confusion because they think that if dad can leave, then mom will too (Gordon, Arbuthnot, Center for Divorce Education, & Divorce Magazine, 2015-2017). Children may wonder where they will be sleeping from night to night or who may pick them up from daycare each afternoon and this causes confusion. A child who has married parents will have a stable routine and most likely have the same pattern every day so that they are at a less likely risk of being confused. Young children express their grief through crying and sobbing (Gordon, Arbuthnot, Center for Divorce Education, & Divorce Magazine, 2015-2017). They will experience a deep yearning for the absent parent and may push bad emotions and behaviors onto the custodial parent because they are blaming them for the absence of the other parent (Gordon, Arbuthnot, Center for Divorce Education, & Divorce Magazine, 2015-2017). This can often lead to

H. (2010-2017). Children Divorce Statistics. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from http://www.children-and-divorce.com/children-divorce-statistics.html. Copyright © Children-and-Divorce.com 2010-2017. All rights reserved.

Magazine article: Gordon, D. A., Arbuthnot, J., Center for Divorce Education, & Divorce Magazine. (2015-2017). The Effects of Divorce on Children. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from http://www.divorcemag.com/articles/effects-of-divorce-on-children. Updated: October 22, 2015

Website: Niolon, Ph.D., R. (2010, September 19). Children of Divorce and Adjustment. Retrieved September 5, 2017, from http://www.psychpage.com/family/childrenadjust.html. PsychPage 2010-2017

Interview: Redmond, J., Ferber, D., & Love To Know. (2017). Children and Divorce: Interview with Donna Ferber. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from http://divorce.lovetoknow.com/Children_and_Divorce:_Interview_with_Donna_Ferber

Pamphlet: University of Southern California Center for Work and Family Life. (2017). Children and Divorce. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from http://cwfl.usc.edu/assets/pamphlets/children_divorce2.pdf. © University of Southern California Center for Work and Family