How Divorce Affects Children

All parents wonder what the impact will be on their child or children when their parents divorce. It may even prevent some couples from taking that final step. However, much understanding has emerged regarding the typical reactions a child or children may have when faced with this life changing event. Read on to learn more.

Why the First Year Is the Toughest

During the first year, kids may experience distress, anger, anxiety, and disbelief. Once their resilience kicks in many kids become accustomed to changes in their daily routines. Nonetheless, there is a small percentage who never find a new “normal” and the emotional impact a divorce has may last a lifetime. 

Emotional Impact of Divorce

The younger child will often struggle to comprehend why they must go between two homes. While a child or children of grade school age may think they were somehow responsible for the breakup. Teenagers have been known to attribute blame to one parent or the other for a divorce. And of course, there are children who feel a great sense of relief if a divorce creates less tension at home. 

Divorce-Related Stress

Divorce can mean a child or children experience less contact with one parent, typically, a Father. The nature of the relationship with the custodial parent also changes as the parent often experiences higher stress levels.

Risks Families Face

Children will have to adapt to ongoing changes to their family dynamics. The addition of a step-parent and possibly several step-siblings can be another big adjustment. The failure rate for second marriages is even higher than first marriages. So many children experience multiple separations and divorces over the years.

Behavior Problems

Children from divorced families may experience more externalizing problems, such as conduct disorders, delinquency, and impulsive behavior than kids from two-parent families. In addition to increased behavior problems, children may also experience more conflict with peers after a divorce. There is also an increased chance of mental health issues developing over time.

Poor Academic Performance

Children from divorced families don’t always perform as well academically. However, a study published in 2019 suggested kids from divorced families tended to have trouble with school if the divorce was unexpected, whereas children from families where divorce was likely didn’t have the same outcome.

Collaborative Divorce 

You may want to consider collaborative divorce to give your family an opportunity to work through your differences and focus on results. 

Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/psychological-effects-of-divorce-on-kids-4140170