DIVORCE AND ITS AFFECTS ON CHILDREN

Trinidy Martinez Orcutt Academy High School Frosh Core

DIVORCE

Did you know that nearly 50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce?

The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body.

WHO IS AFFECTED FROM THE DIVORCE

Not only are the people getting the divorce affected, usually the whole family is affected. In most cases the children of the family will be separated, or lose their relationship with one of their parents.

THE AFFECTS ON CHILDREN

Even though divorce is between the parents and not the children, divorce does affect children because most kids who's parents have had a divorce, see a negative change in academics, behavior, and emotions. Studies show that most children who have divorced parents are affected in a negative way, most feel stuck in the middle of the divorce and start to feel stress, depression, and a loss of hope in relationships.

FEELINGS A CHILD HAS DURING THE DIVORCE

Stress, Anger & feelings of confusion Most parents try to shield their child from these feelings, but no matter what you do the child will still notice the change, and develop feelings towards what is going on

WHAT CAUSES STRESS FOR CHILDREN?

The family they have always known will be different Loss of attatchment

Fear of abandonment

CLASS SURVEY RESULTS

During the divorce, did you develop a lot of anger for your parents?
During the divorce, did you develop a lot of anger for your parents?
0 10 20

no

Clearly, most students did develop an anger for their parents after the divorce. Only 5 of the survey takers did not develop anger for their parents. Take Survey Here

Yes

IDEAS OF LOVE, CHANGED

First example of a relationship

No relationship will work.

Love doesnt exist

CLASS SURVEY RESULTS

Did The Divorce Change Your Thoughts on Love & Relationships?

5 Yes no 16

As you can see, the majority of the class feels as if the divorce of their parents changed their thoughts on love and relationships. Only 5 students felt as if it did not change their thoughts. Take Survey Here

ABANDONMENT
In some cases of divorce, only one parent will stay in the picture and take care of the child. When the child is left with only one parent, that parent becomes the only parent figure in the childs life, which can cause many emotional issues.

BEING A DIVORCED PARENT

There are often problems with parenting after a divorce, because parents tend to feel bad, and want to do whatever will make the child happy. It is also sometimes hard for parents to keep food on the table and a roof over their childs head, because they are now only have a single income, instead of sharing with their spouse.

CHILDRENS BEHAVIOR AFTER A DIVORCE

Children react in different ways to the separation and divorce of their parents. No matter how many or how severe the parents conflicts may have been, the children lose the familiar family they know. Children react to this loss in many different ways. They may feel sad, angry, guilty, physically sick, anxious, or relieved. They may respond temporarily by forgetting skills they have learned, becoming very dependent upon adults, or trying to be extra mature.

CHANGES SEEN IN CHILDREN

Academics Friends Family Emotions Motivation

AGE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

0-3 years old I. Psychological Issue: Trust and Abandonment 3-5 years old I. Psychological Issue: Fear. Who will take care of me? II. Second issue: How long is it until...? III. Third issue: If one parent can leave me, why can't both? 6-8 years old I. Psychological Issue: Moving into the world with a secure base behind them.

AGE MAKES A DIFFERENCE (CONTINUED..)

9-10 years old I. Psychological Issue: Anger: How am I supposed to move on into what is starting to feel like me, when you guys can't even stay together like you're supposed to? Don't divorce; stand still and watch me! 11-13 years old I. Psychological Issue: Fear of being out in the world without clear support leads to panic and precipitous behavior II. Often try to act like nothing is wrong.

HOW TO PREVENT NEGATIVE FEELINGS

Maintain a stable routine. Help children share and deal with their feelings. Reassure children that the divorce is not their fault. Practice positive discipline. Help children maintain positive relationships with both parents. Dont put your child in the middleallow him/ her to love both parents. Spend time with your child.

WORKS CITED
Cross, C. (2014). Fighting The Homework Battle With Kids. BermanBraun. Emery, R. (2006). The Truth About Children and Divorce. Gina Kemp, M. S. (2013). A parents guide to supporting your child through a divorce. Meyer, C. (2014). Five Challenges Divorced Single Moms Face. Ask.Com. Pickar, D. (2003). Identifying Childrens StressResponses to Divorce. Sonoma: Sonoma County Medical Association.