Social Support For Children

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Social support systems can act as role models for children to see behavior outside of the home, and they can be sounding boards for children as they attempt to enter into their new lives. As children reach out to their extended family members, teachers, clergy, and others, it is important that these children remember that the certain people they’ve turned to should not add conflict within the home. Instead, these individuals should provide opportunities for the child to release pent-up anger and anxiety in a safe environment. Children that have siblings can also leverage that relationship during a divorce as a social support system. This is a unique social support system because in instances of sibling relationships, these individuals will …show more content…

Grandparents have the unique ability to provide support for a child during this challenging time that will likely be well-received by both parents (Soliz, 2008, p. 73). Grandparents will be able to build on their already established bond with the child and provide wisdom and guidance on how to deal with the situation (Soliz, 2008, p. 73). Additionally, grandparents will be able to fill the fundamental social support role that is often needed to help minimize stress in challenging situations (Soliz, 2008, p. 73).
Family communication during a divorce is one of the most important things to ensure that the family does not completely deteriorate. Although the “immediate family” justifiably is the area most focused on during a divorce, a social support system and the involvement of grandparents, aunts, and uncles will have a positive effect on the child (Soliz, 2008, p. 74). These individuals already have an established relationship with the child and the distance from the immediate divorce may be able to provide the child with a balance in perspective that makes

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