Children and Divorce

Posted: September 9th, 2013

Children and Divorce

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Children and Divorce

Hughes, R. (2009). The effects of divorce on children. Retrieved from http://parenting247.org/article.cfm?ContentID=646

Article Summary

The author begins by highlighting research that examines the differences between children in intact two parent families and children from divorced families. He points out that there is a relatively small difference between the children in the two groups. The author deals with the causes of these difficulties among children from divorced families. He points out causes such as parental loss, economic loss, more life stress, lack of parental competence, and the children’s exposure to the conflict between parents as some of the causes for the difficulties. Hughes points out that the quality of relationships between the parents and the children matter more than the quantity of time that the two spend. He also points out that children fare better when parents take an active role in the lives of their children, even if they are not living with them. Hughes observes that children from divorced families have more difficulties because of the less income that their custodial parent has. However, he notes that income does not contribute to the child’s well being. Divorce leads to lesser income realized by the parents and this leads to other changes. The author notes that children from divorced families who move and live in different places have more difficulties. He adds that children who observe their parents go through a divorce have more difficulties than children who only have to experience divorce once.

Reaction to the Author

I agree with what the author is saying because it is evident in the society. Moreover, the author backs his claims with evidence from scientific research. Children suffer when they experience any loss in their lives. Divorce worsens the situation since the children will experience major losses. Economic loss on its own does not affect children in a major way after the divorce, but it does lead to changes that affect the child’s life. Children learn to adjust when there is less income. In many cases, the custodial parent struggles and works hard to ensure that the child is catered for, and the non-resident parent also contribute something to help in bringing up the children. Children who undergo stressful situations in their lives have more difficulties. They experience stress and other behavioral problems. Custodial parents who remain strong psychologically, and who take the time to talk to their children and discuss with them about the divorce help the children to adjust more quickly. This is unlike the parents who have difficulties accepting the reality of divorce. When the children adjust quickly, they are less likely to encounter some of the difficulties.

Reaction to the Topic

The subject of divorce has a major impact on children. Children who have grown up with their parents are often traumatized by the events before, during and after the divorce. Divorce is something that has affected many families. Many children end up growing with single parents or with a stepmother or a stepfather when their parents decide to remarry. Although this might have some positive influence on the child, such as when the parent’s new marriage works, it often has devastating effects. No child has to go through the process of divorce. Parents should do all they can to ensure that they continue living together peacefully. The only exception in this case is when the child has an abusive parent. In such an occurrence, the child is better off living with one parent. Divorce has led to the increased number of single parents in the community. It has also increased the number of children with stress and other related conditions because of the problems they undergo. Single parents with low-income struggle to provide for their families, and they do not spend enough time with them. This has in turn led to increased problematic behaviors on the child.

Reference:

Hughes, R. (2009). The effects of divorce on children. Retrieved from http://parenting247.org/article.cfm?ContentID=646