How Divorce Affects Children's Life

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How Could Divorce Affects Children’s Life?
Divorce continues to be a life transition that affects a substantial amount of adults and children each year. In addition to the impact that divorce can have on adults involved, the impact of divorce is amplified greatly when there are children involved. Divorce can have long-term effects and may influence children’s relationship satisfaction, trust, commitment in intimate relationships, and optimism (Mustonen, Huurre, Haukkala, Kiviruusu, & Aro, 2011).
Divorced individuals offer explanations for why their relationship ended, yet little is known about the development of these problems during the relationship. Problems that lead to divorce may exist at the beginning of the marriage or may develop over …show more content…

For example, research indicates that children of divorce struggle in areas related to school behavior, academic achievement, self-esteem, health, and interpersonal relationships (Amato, 1993; Gately & Schwebel, 1991). Unfortunately, the majority of this research is primarily centered on parents’ and teachers’ accounts of the functioning and adjustment of children after experiencing parental divorce (Menard, 1998). Without having more direct reports from the children affected by divorce, the literature is deficient in understanding the impact of divorce on children. Parental divorce can also have long-term effects and may influence children’s relationship satisfaction, trust, commitment in intimate relationships, and optimism (Mustonen, Huurre, Haukkala, Kiviruusu, & Aro, 2011). Although children do not have control over the divorce, parents may help to minimize the adverse effects of divorce on children by facilitating proper adjustment. The findings of another study indicate the public tends to hold more negative stereotypes for children who have experienced parental divorce than those who have not (Amato, 1991). The keen perceptions of the public affect an individual’s outlook on divorce, even before one experiences the impact of divorce. Such views can bring upon negative connotations about divorce for all people involved, even if the overall outcome of the divorce is positive for the family members. Children of parental divorce tend to hold strong views about the impact that divorce can have on children’s lives. Smith (2013) found adults who experienced divorce as children reported more negative attitudes about divorce than those whose parents did not divorce. The participants affected by the parental divorce from Smith’s study had strong views about not wanting their future children to experience a divorce if they were to become

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