...How Divorce Impacts Children Under the Age of 18 F. Jeanpierre Psychology Abstract In this research you will see how divorce impacts children under the age of 18. The effects are not universal. Divorce affects children differently based on their age, personality and sexuality. Divorce affects children both mentally and physically. In this research, you will see how divorce can impact children immediately as well as post divorce. I will start with infants, preschool age children, school-aged and then adolescents. Then you will see how divorce affects children spiritually. Furthermore, you will see how the affect of divorce varies based on the child's gender. Finally, in this research paper, you will see ways to help a child adjust after divorce. Infants The first age group is infants. Not too much is known on the affects of divorce for children under the age of 3. Some have speculated that children under the age of 3 does not always suffer from their parents divorced. Thus, sociologist and psychologist agreed that problems in personality can developed if the child had a strong bond between the parents and those bonds are broken due to the divorce. Professionals highly encourage parents to make arrangements so the potential, full affect of the divorce won’t impact the child as much. The conflict of divorce may not be understood by infants, but they can react to changes in the parent’s level of energy and involvement. Infants can lose their appetite, have an upset...
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...Abstract This paper explores the impact of divorce on children under the age of eighteen with research studies reported by internet and non internet resources such as, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, American Journal of Family Law and also author written research by Elisabeth Joy Lamotte and Kathleen Stassen Berger. Since 1973 at least one million children have been affected by divorce and typically one out of two marriages ends in divorce. The truth remains that marriage does offer greater benefits to children rather than divorce such as a higher standard of living, exposure to effective and cooperative parenting, greater parent-child bonding, and less stress overall. This paper will cover the psychological impact of divorce on children under the age of eighteen from infancy to toddlers all the way through adolescence and on to adulthood. References Berger, Stassen Kathleen (2010). The Developing Person Through the Lifespan Eighth Edition. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Lamotte, Joy Elisabeth (2008). Overcoming Your Parents Divorce. Far Hills, NJ: New Horizon Press. McGuinness, Teena M, PhD (2006). Marriage, Divorce, and Children. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services. Portnoy, Sandford M, PhD (2008). The Psychology of Divorce: A Lawyer's Primer, Part 2: The Effects of Divorce on Children. American Journal of Family Law. Child Study Center (2001). Divorce and Children. Retrieved from http://www.aboutourkids.org/files/articles/sep_oct_1...
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...The Impact of Divorce on Children Sociology 210 Amy Totten Abstract How do children react to divorce? In most recent times, the impact of divorce on children has emerged as a problem of concern. Divorce may be the most devastating situation that can happen to children. Alarmingly, studies have revealed that 50 percent of children under the age of 18 will experience the dissolution of their parents’ marriage. When a divorce occurs, parents tend to forget about the child and do not realize how much of a negative impact that it has on the child. Children already go through enough stress of just everyday situations and to add to it only make things worse. The impact of divorce will affect each child differently, but all will experience some type of emotional distress. This paper will provide a detailed description of the emotional and psychological effects of divorce on infants; school aged children and adolescents, behavioral development in children of divorce, and strategies to help children cope with divorce. The Impact of Divorce on Children The traditional lifestyle of living with both parents is almost rare in today’s society. Divorce is a very tragic situation especially when it involves children. As the world turns, the divorce rates continue to rise. Studies have revealed that 50 percent of children under the age of 18 will experience divorce. In the process of the divorce parents really don’t understand that through divorce it affects them but it...
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...The Impact of Divorce on Children PSYC 210-D06 Abstract Divorce has become a new common way of life in our current society that we find ourselves in. We must understand the impact that divorce has on children as it plays a major role on a family physically and emotionally. In this research you will see how divorce impacts children under the age of 18, that divorce has an impact on children. This paper will also provide solutions to assist the children on how to manage. Most often when children experience a feeling of not needing to move forward due to such a drastic change like divorce. Finally, in this research paper, you will see ways to help a child adjust after divorce. Divorce has a strong impact on children based inversely on their ages. Sociologist and psychologist have considered that a child under the age of 3 does not always hurt from their parents divorced. They have agreed that problems in temperament can developed if the child had a strong bond between the parents and those connections are broken due to the divorce. According to “Paternal Participation and Children’s Well-Being After Marital Dissolution” we can see the effect in the different stages of their lives: Children ages 3-5 frequently blame themselves for the divorce. The impact leads them to imagine that they are the source of their parents divorcing. Elementary school children are cognitively established enough to understand that they are in pain because the divorce. Accordingly, they...
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...The Impact of Divorce on Children A Review how Divorce Impact Children under 18 Liberty University Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to understand the impact of divorce on children under 18. Each year over million Americans children experience the divorce of their parents, Divorces causes irreparable damage to all involved, but most specifically to the children. A major impact of divorce is on the children and parent relationship. The pain experienced by children is stressful as they see their family brake-down and disconnect as a hole. It take them to a dark place of emotionally and psychologically, thwarting upon the child well – being. Divorce negative impacts individuals and society in numerous other ways, such as religious practice, financial struggles, social skills and life styles, as well as children health and well-being. It is very important for parents to not let their children see any conflicts between them, and be able to co-parent with a line of communication that would be beneficial to the child development and growth. As a parent we all want the best for our children. When adults get married pray to keep their marriage together, until death do them apart. When there are kids involved most parents do their best to keep their family together for the sake of the children. Sadly to say it’s not always that simple, and the children end up suffering from their parents’ divorce. Divorcing parents are usually very concerned about the welfare...
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...The Impact of Divorce on Children Under the Age of 18 Jason Cruise Liberty University Online Psych 210-D04 LUO Abstract In the United States, divorced couples have become the norm of a culture so diverse and self-absorbed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 46% of all marriages end in divorce. As a result, children often suffer irreparable damage emotionally, socially, and academically. This paper seeks to examine the vast biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects related to divorced parents and the stressors and consequences there within. In addition, many children are drastically affected by the three periods that occur during a divorce. The results incur that, although sometimes the situation improves, most children often experience lower academic success, as well as decreases in their biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive development. The Impact of Divorce on Children under the Age of 18 Overview of Divorce Divorce is a common reality in every country and culture throughout the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 46% of all U.S. marriages end in divorce (Marriage and Divorce, 2013). Therefore, researchers have placed a lot of focus on divorce over other methods of terminating a cohabiting relationship (Berger, 2011). In addition, Berger (2011) says, “Divorce occurs because at least one half of a couple believes that he or she would be happier not married” (p....
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...death of either spouse. In many developed countries, separation rates have increased markedly during the previous century. It is reported that more than 1 million children each year experience their parents’ separation. Divorce or separation is a critical event happening to about 54% of young families; however nobody really is prepared for the difficulties that follow. Parental separation has been reported in the literature as being associated with a wide range of adverse effects on children’s wellbeing, both as a short-term consequence of the transition and in the form of more enduring effects that persist into adulthood. Both parental marital status and the parent-adolescent relationship have been found to be related to adolescent well-being (Forehand, Middleton, & Long, 1987; Buchanan, Maccoby, & Dombusch 1991). There is a wide diversity of outcomes among both groups of children from divorced and intact families, and the adjustment of children following divorce depends on a wide range of other factors. Pryor and Rodgers (2001) show that the risk of poor social adjustment is twice as great for children whose parents are separated or divorced (Amato, 2000; Simons, Lin, Gordon, Conger, and Lorenz, 1999; Emery, 1999; Kelly, 2000; Hetherington and Kelly, 2002). Among other things, children from divorced families 2 PAGE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS showed increased problems in social and close relationships (Hetherington 1997), were two to three times...
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..., Social Problems Ella Cooke November 16, 2014 Prof: Cynthia Palmer Divorce I think a children growing up we all have that fantasy that we are going to meet our prince charming, live in a big house with a picket fence, and have maids and butlers to wait on us hand and foot. Now, I am not saying that some of these fantasies do not come true for some, but for the majority they are just fantasies. Do people really know what they are getting into when they repeat that two letter word “I do”? Do not get the impression that getting married is a bad idea, because there are couples I know today that are still going strong after 60 plus years. Marriage is a huge commitment that should be taken seriously, and you have to work together as a team. Divorce happens more often times than not and it can take a serious toll on everyone in the family especially the kids. I chose the social problem of divorce for two reasons, one of them is because I have been through it twice myself, and the other is we have a high divorce rate in this nation. I married my first husband when I was 17, and straight out of high school. We had 3 beautiful children at which time he became very controlling and verbally abusive so we divorced in 2006. Well, I turned right around and got remarried in May 2006, the very year I was divorced from the first one. Well, long story short, we are separated and are drawing up divorce papers so I have quite of bit of experience with this social problem. People ask...
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...“What is the impact of parental separation in young children and how can parents support their children throughout and after separation?” Separation can be a very daunting experience in young children’s lives and can impact severely on their growing skills; such as communication and social skills. Children can become vulnerable. Children need the continuing affection and support of both parents. “Not all parents are able to continue a relationship with their children after separation. There are no easy solutions to these difficult situations” According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of children under 18 years of age affected by divorce has decreased from 46,337 in 2010 to 43,867 in 2011. The average number of children per divorce was 1.9. Although there were no statistics taken recently, the numbers show a significant amount of children affected by divorce. During my survey of ‘impact of separation on children’, 100% of the people taking the survey knew someone that has been divorced or separated with children. My first key finding is that because of a young child’s sense of time perception, that separation between the child and the parent has a confronting impact on their emotional wellbeing. Children under two will often have a stronger emotional and physical dependence on their primary carer. A child at that age has a vastly different concept of time compared to older children, leading to issues with parenting arrangements. The needs of the child need...
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...The Impact of a Counselor to Children of Divorce According to the American Psychological Association (2014), by the age of 50 more than 90 % of people will be married in Western cultures. Marriages that are healthy have a positive effect on a person’s health, mental stability, and foster happy children. Children of healthy marriages are supported mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. However, according to the CDC (2014), about half of all marriages in the United States will result in divorce; therefore, effecting the well-being of children as well as impacting their education. A majority of divorces occur in families with children under the age of 18. Divorce impacts children’s life in vast ways. No matter the age, divorce initiates...
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...Effects of Divorce on Children Elizabeth O’Connor Psychology 210 Liberty University Online Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to examine the effects divorce has on children. This paper will look at several areas of child development and introduce some statistics on children affected by divorce. It will discuss pre and post-divorce family environments and the factors that lead to it, as well as the effects 25 years post-divorce. It will also summarize studies conducted by other researchers and present ideas found to be true from clinical interviews and following a group of children from 18 months post parental divorce to 25 years later. Other topics will include family functioning pre and post-divorce, the impact of father involvement post-divorce; as well as common behavioral issues present with children of parental divorce families. In conclusion a summary of how variations in home life, parenting style and personalities can affect the outcome of long term effects on children of parental divorce. I. Introduction Several studies have been conducted over the years analyzing the effects divorce has on children. This research has proved to be a valuable tool in the field of psychology. This year over one million children will experience parental divorce (Demo & Supple, 2003) and the effects can last a lifetime. Of those one million children fifty percent of them are under the age of six (Wallerstein & Lewis, 2004). II. Statistics In the United...
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...The Impact of Divorce on Children under the Age of 18 Leroy James Phoenix University Abstract This paper explores references in regards to divorce and the effect that it has on our children. Articles along with books related to divorce and children will make up the entirety of this research paper. A variety of information will be derived from each reference that will expound on children’s reaction to their parents’ divorce. Clarke-Stewart and Brentano (2006) suggest that children see no benefit in divorce because the end of their parents’ marriage is a complete loss turning their lives upside down. This paper also examines researches on play therapy and storytelling that delves into children’s thoughts and feelings about their parents’ divorce. Clarke-Stewart and Brentano (2006) also suggest that most children just wish that their parents would get back together and shape up. This issue is definitely something to pay well attention to because of its effect on our children and society. It has been revealed that a computer search of books and articles in the database PsycINFO reveals more than four thousand on the topic of “children of divorce”—half of them in the past decade. Overall this paper will attempt to cover a majority of children base issues pertaining to their parents’ divorce and their struggle to make adjustments to cope with the major changes that comes along with the aftermath. Divorce is an epidemic that’s running...
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...0736-9735/04/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/0736-9735.21.3.353 THE UNEXPECTED LEGACY OF DIVORCE Report of a 25-Year Study Judith S. Wallerstein, PhD Judith Wallerstein Center for the Family in Transition and University of California, Berkeley Julia M. Lewis, PhD San Francisco State University This follow-up study of 131 children, who were 3–18 years old when their parents divorced in the early 1970s, marks the culmination of 25 years of research. The use of extensive clinical interviews allowed for exploration in great depth of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they negotiated childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and adulthood. At the 25-year follow-up, a comparison group of their peers from the same community was added. Described in rich clinical detail, the findings highlight the unexpected gulf between growing up in intact versus divorced families, and the difficulties children of divorce encounter in achieving love, sexual intimacy, and commitment to marriage and parenthood. These findings have significant implications for new clinical and educational interventions. The study we report here begins with the first no-fault divorce legislation in the nation and tracks a group of 131 California children whose parents divorced in the early 1970s. They were seen at regular intervals over the 25-year span that followed. When we first met our young participants, they were between ages 3 and 18; by the mid- to late 1990s, when our study ended, they were 28–43 years...
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...thinking about how she feels like a stranger in her new home. Since her transfer from California to New York, her life for her and her 10 year old brother has been like a rollercoaster. Their lives have changed drastically in the last four months with trying to adjust to a new state, home and school. She has to cope with her feelings of abandonment, frustration and state of despair. How will she adapt to this sudden change in her life? This is just one of a many instances of how divorce’s and blended families affect our children and will affect the next generation. One of the many problems facing America appears to be either the absence of one parent or blending into another family through adoptions, foster care, and gay relationships. The traditional American family has declined over the years and the divorce rate continues to be on the rise. Why? There is a variety of reasons why married couple divorce. Some due to financial matters, infidelity, unrealistic expectations, lack of communications, mental and physical abuse. One out of two marriages end in divorce. Sixty percent of second marriages fail, according to the U S Census Bureau 66% of all marriages and living together situations end in break Mise 2 up when children are in involved. Due to this, large volume of divorce’s single parent households are common and create a void in home management. In most cases the mother maintains custody of the children and her...
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...Single parenting Single parenting is where a parent lives alone and takes most of the day to day the responsibilities in taking care of a child or children without a spouse or partner, in other words single parent involves a single person plus a dependent child (more likely to be a female parent) and is sometimes referred to as the broken nuclear family (where mom and dad and kids live under the same roof but parents decide to spilt-up). In Trinidad and Tobago there are 18 percent single parent and 9 percent single parent extended families (extended single parents is where the parent is living with their family such as mom, dad, siblings etc). How does one emerge as a single parent? There many reasons people in society become a single parent. Some reasons are:- Divorce -this is where a couple who have been married and have taken legal action of ending the marriage contract. In Trinidad and Tobago within the period of 2011 to 2013 there are 7,123 couples who applied for divorce. The rate of divorce in Trinidad and Tobago is 26.6 percent. Families are rapidly declining in our country and family foundations are weakening which brings a lot of negative side effects. In the U.S. the divorce rate is 40 to 50 percent of married couples divorce. Divorce can stem from misunderstandings between couples, the relationship grows apart, financial problems, intimacy disappears, not having a shared vision of success and also getting into the marriage for the wrong reasons. Unwanted...
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