AP32627

Divorce Divorce is a process that is difficult on all parties but especially on children. Children, no matter what age, react in various ways and these reactions have far reaching implications. Parents and care givers are encouraged to support their children during this time, make sure the children feel loved, and encouraged to talk about the feelings they are experiencing. An online article ([|www.emerondivorce.com/how_divorce_affects_children.php]) states “that divorce is almost always stressful for children.” It can cause separation for the child from one of the parents, money issues (child support not always paid), and legal issues between parents. Psychological and emotional problems can develop as well. Some children do not exhibit type of negative behavior, especially if the parents are willing to work together for the well-being of their children. According to the study “Divorce and Child Behavior Problems : Applying Latent Change Score Models to Life Event Data” by Patrick S. Malone, Jennifer E. Lansford and others, “boys experiencing an early divorce-separation show an elevation in externalizing behavior problems beginning the year of the event and persisting, whereas boy experiencing a later divorce-separation show an elevation in problems at the time of the event…” “…the trajectory of girls’ externalizing behavior problems was not affected by experiencing their parents’ divorce, regardless of whether the divorce occurred during elementary or middle school.” ([|www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2832336]). This is an in-depth study showing how children react to divorce, especially within different time frames and the gender of the child. The study “addresses the issue of … [U]sing methodically rigorous approaches is thus crucial to understanding whether and how the experience of their parents’ divorce affects children’s adjustment.” An online article from Purdue (The Effect of Divorce on Children : What Makes a Difference by Nithyakala Karuppaswamy with Judith A. Myers-Walls) gives recommendations on how to help children understand information about the impending divorce – show them love; let them know the divorce isn’t their fault; give them information they can understand based on their age level; and let them know what’s going to happen (living arrangements, school, seeing the other parent, staying together with siblings) – and letting them ask questions. Answer these questions as honestly as possible. Have support available – friends, family, teachers, pastoral support. The main thing is adjustment to divorce takes time and each child has his/her own timetable. It can’t be rushed. In conclusion, divorce is a procedure that can be painful for all involved. Children have varied responses to it and their responses can’t be rushed. Children need to have unconditional love, support, and information during this time. Parents that work together to ensure their children has the least amount of upheaval during the divorce are more successful than parents that snipe at each other or use their children as weapons. Not all children act out during divorce but most have some type of memory that can cause pain at some point during their lifetime.

Karuppaswamy, Nithyakala, and Judith A. Myers-Walls. "The Effect of Divorce on Children: What Makes a Difference." . N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. .

Malone, Patrick S., Jennifer E. Lansford, and Domini R. Castellino. "Divorce and Child Behavior Problems: Applying Latent Change ...." . Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, 1 July 2004. Web. 19 July 2014. .

Emery, Robert E. . "How Divorce Affects Children." . N.p., 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 19 July 2014. .

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