C H A R I T Y G R E E N
L I B E R T Y U N I V E R S I T Y
DIVORCE AND CHILDREN
Divorce defined & the Concept of effects on children
Webster’s Dictionary defines divorce as
The action or an instance of legally dissolving a
marriage
SEPARATION,)SEVERANCE
Some outline the conceptualization of divorce as
the renegotiation of boundaries of intimacy and
power in the relationships between members of
the divorced family system.
Concepts about the effects divorce can have on
children are as complex and different as each
child is.
At what age and stage does divorce typically impact a
child
Studies show that, within
two or three years of its
occurrence, children
experience the greatest
impact of divorce.
Research, however, also
shows that children
throughout their youth are
greatly affected by
divorce. Children will
experience certain feelings
and reactions at each age.
Potential impact on a child’s development progress
Unfortunately infants often react to parental stress showing signs
of increased mood and decreased appetite.
Some researchers hypothesize that both infants and toddlers will
have long term effects of the divorce that will not be evident until
their later years, including abandonment issues and emotional
attachment issues
DeBord (2009) claims teenagers feeling disillusioned, abandoned,
highly stressed, resulting in high-risk behaviors including school
skipping, substance abuse, and stealing. The teenager can also
take on the role of adults, feeling they need to help with finances
and help with caring for younger siblings.
Parents sometimes)use their teenager)as a replacement partner,
although the child is older, he or she is not in a proper position
developmentally to receive personal information about the details
of the divorce or feel in the middle of the divorce.
What is the impact to cognitive, social, emotional,
relationship, and/or moral dimensions of
development
When it comes to)cognitive, social, emotional,
relationship and/or moral dimensions of
development, researchers argue that the impact of
divorce on adolescents has increased emotional and
behavioral issues such as academic problems,
depression, anxiety, isolation, and rebellion.
Research suggests that the experience of the
divorce has more of an impact on adolescent
delinquency than common genes themselves.
A divorce that results in a child no longer having
contact with the father, it can greatly impact the
child's emotional wellbeing
What is the impact to cognitive, social, emotional,
relationship, and/or moral dimensions of
development
Nearly 70% of the children of parents who
are divorced have their primary residence
with their mother, leaving many boys without
a father figure residing in the home.
Parental closeness also makes a difference
after divorce in the well - being of a child.
Boys living with their fathers or having joint
arrangements show less aggression than
those raised only by their mothers.
How does this topic impact the individual’s environment
Divorce can have a grave impact on the environment
of a child.
Divorces can sometimes be a chaotic event. If the
parties involved are negatively handling the
separation, especially in front of the child it can have
a less than favorable effect on the child.
Post divorced unions can also create a negative
environment for the children involved by separating
the other parent from the child.
It changes how each parent raises children and how
often they see them, which)can corrode the overall
relationship between parent and child.
How does this divorce impact the Child’s family
Many compare going through a divorce as a
death seeing though, the entire dynamic of
the family is changed.
There is a drastic change in roles between
the parents since one parent won’t be present
in the home anymore, in which will directly
affect the family.
Remarriage as a result of divorce expands
the child’s family, possibly adding step-
siblings.
The best strategies for dealing with this from an individual
or family support perspective
The discussion can begin by asking how )each
family member is doing at this time of family
stress.
Remind the parent they both know better than
anyone what is best for their child(ren)
Recognize that divorce )is a process, not just an
event. Therefore, the adjustment of a child takes
place in stages.
Family support can help parents understand the
reactions of their children and encourage them to
talk to their children about the divorce process.
The best strategies for dealing with this from an individual
or family support perspective
Encourage the parent to let the child(ren) know
they are not the cause of the separation and they
can not bring them back together.
Parent should encourage the child(ren) to
express the feeling freely and openly to keep the
lines of communication clear.
The children’s routine whether school,
extracurricular activities, contact with friend
and family should remain normal as possible.
Encourage the parent to remember that every
decision they make effects their children.
Are there Christian principles or biblical themes that
provide explanation or clarification you want to
include?
Psalm 103:13- Just as a
father has compassion on his
children, So the LORD has
compassion on those who fear
Him.
Colossians 3:21- Fathers, do
not exasperate your children,
so that they will not lose
heart.
Job 1:5- When the days of
feasting had completed their
cycle, Job would send and
consecrate them, rising up
early in the morning and
offering burnt offerings
according to the number of
them all; for Job said,
"Perhaps my sons have sinned
and cursed God in their
hearts." Thus Job did
continually.
What can clients expect you to be able to do to help
them (you, as a human service professional, or your
agency)?
Clients can expect that I am committed to
finding the best possibly outcome for all
parties included.
Clients can expect me to facilitate
communication between the family members.
Clients can expect me to act as a neutral
third-party.
Clients can expect me to ask the question
that will uncover the underlying causes of
their problems.
Clients can expect to teach them ways to
effectively handle problems and how to
create a plan to
Resources – Educational readings
Since, the world is so digital, I would
recommend a means of accessing important
information about families dealing with
divorce through a website and an app.
https://www.familyeducation.com/family-life/dealing-divor
ce
CoParently : An app to make co-parenting easier, less
stressful.
References
Anderson, J. (2014). The Impact of Family Structure on the Health of Children: Effects
of
Divorce.)The Linacre Quarterly,81(4), 378-387.
doi:10.1179/0024363914z.00000000087
Cohen, G. J., & Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. (2002).
Helping children and families deal with divorce and separation. Pediatrics, 110(5),
1019-
1023
DeBord, K. ( 1999). The effects of divorce on children. University of Missouri-
Columbia.
Emery, R., & Dillon, P. (1994). Conceptualizing the Divorce Process: Renegotiating
Boundaries of Intimacy and Power in the Divorced Family System.)Family
Relations,)43(4), 374-379. doi:10.2307/585367
McCoy, J. (2014). How do Ages and Stages Differ for Children of Divorce? Alpha
Research Center Blog https
://www.alpha-divorce.com/blog/ages-stages-differ-children-divorce/
Yu, E., & Liu, J. (2007). Environmental impacts of divorce.)Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences,104(51), 20629-20634. doi:10.1073/pnas.0707267104
