Issue 7: Does Divorce Create Long-Term Negative Effects for Children?

1. Issue 7: Does Divorce Create Long-Term Negative Effects for Children? Brittany B. Jennifer B. Anne Marie D. Connie L.

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3. http://youtu.be/5TvsX8bJMXg

4. Background Information • Marriages stand a 45% chance of breaking up. • Second marriages stand a 60% chance of breaking up. • 25% of people today between ages 18 and 44 have parents who divorced. • 1990s-married couples with children represent a mere 26% of households • 80% of divorces occur within the first nine years of marriage • In many social agencies, close to ¾ of the children in treatment are from divorced families. • Between 1960 and 1992, rates have tripled.

5. YES • Although some children do just fine and adapt to divorce, some problems that become more likely include: • -abuse and neglect • -health, behavioral health, and emotional problems • -crime and drug abuse • -incidents of suicide • -performing poorly in school and less success in school-related goals and activities • -growing up in a level of poverty

6. YES • In many social agencies, close to ¾ of the children in treatment are from divorced families. • They are more likely to lose their virginity at a younger age. • Children from divorced homes are more likely to divorce themselves and less likely to have children of their own.

7. YES • Differences between unhappy families who stayed together and unhappy families who experienced divorce • -Children from unhappy intact families have a fine understanding of demands and sacrifices required in a close relationship. • -Adults from divorced families are at a disadvantage in coping with normal stresses in a marriage – their anxiety about relationships is always present, even when they are happily married  panic, followed by flight; fears of loss and betrayal • -Many children of divorce end up successful as adults, but they still retain negative effects: fear of loss, fear of change, fear that disaster will strike, especially when things are going well.

8. YES • A Longitudinal study traced the development of 3,585 kids from the time they entered kindergarten in the fall of 1998 through fifth grade, and compared children of divorce with kids from intact families. • The study found that children whose parents get divorced generally don’t experience detrimental setbacks in the pre-divorce period, but often fall behind their peers—and don’t catch up—when it comes to math and interpersonal social skills after their parents begin the divorce process. • This study also finds that children of divorce are more likely to struggle with anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, and sadness.

9. NO • The amount of dysfunction and chaos within an unhappy family is more harmful than two parents splitting up and being happy

10. NO • 80% of children from divorced families readjust well • The 20% who don’t adjust well, typically end up well adjusted as they get older and mature • Contrasting • 10% of youths from Non divorced families are troubled • That’s only a 10% difference!

11. NO • Ways to keep your children from being in the 20% of poor adjustment *Support be patient, reassuring, and help cope *Talk be honest, remind them they are loved, keep them in the loop, make sure the child knows it is not their fault.

12. NO *Avoid Blame *Help cope • Listen, reassure, acknowledge *Take care of yourself *Work with your ex *Don’t talk badly about the other parent or force the child to pick sides

13. NO • Even though children of divorce are more inclined towards marital instability of their own, marriage to a stable supportive spouse can eliminate most of these issues. These effects can be counteracted by a caring spouse, willing to teach marital skills that the partner from a divorced family hadn’t been taught growing up. • Study of effects of divorce vs. marital conflict • Children of divorce may more be likely to see divorce as an easy solution • However, children of marital conflict are more likely to display the same behaviors in their own relationships including physical and verbal aggression and abuse.

14. Multiple Choice questions • In many social agencies, close to what percentage of children in treatment are from divorced families? • A. 25% • B. 50% • C. 75% • D. 100%

15. Multiple Choice questions • In many social agencies, close to what percentage of children in treatment are from divorced families? • A. 25% • B. 50% • C. 75% • D. 100%

16. Multiple Choice questions • What percent of children from divorced families readjust well? • A. 25% • B. 40% • C. 80% • D. 95%

17. Multiple Choice questions • What percent of children from divorced families readjust well? • A. 25% • B. 40% • C. 80% • D. 90%

18. References • Colby, I. & Dziegielewski, S.F. (2010). Introduction to social work: The people’s profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, Inc. • Del Campo, D.S. & Del Campo, R.L. (2010). Taking sides: Clashing views in childhood and society (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc • Fincham, F.D., & Ming, C. (2010). The differential effects of parental divorce and marital conflict on young adult romantic relationships. Personal Relationships, 17(3), 331-334. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01279.x. • Kim, Hyun Sik. (June, 2011) Study: Children of Divorce Lag Behind Peers in Math and Social Skills . American Sociological Association. Retrieved from http://www.asanet.org/press/Children_of_Divorce_Lag_Behind_in_Math_and_Social_Skills.cfm.