The Effect of Divorce on Children - Thesis Example

Abstract
Once a child’s response to divorce can be predicted steps can be taken to minimize the negative impact of divorce on children. The approach taken is therefore twofold. This study will demonstrate how these factors can help with the post-divorce adjustment process with respect to children.

These theories will be addressed in the following manner:
• The universal impact of divorce on children.
• How divorce impacts infants, preschool children, school-aged children and adolescents.
• The steps that divorcing parents can take to minimize, if not prevent the negative consequences of divorce for children.

Findings reflect that experts are now predisposed to conclude that age, gender, personality, the nature of the conflict between the divorcing children, and the particular child’s stage of development are the primary determining factors in predicting how a child will respond to divorce. These factors determine how the child will feel about the divorce and how these feelings are manifested in the child’s conduct and adjustments either externally or internally.

Studies show that children can respond to divorce in any of the following ways:
• Exhibiting a variety of emotions, including pain and anger.
• The anger and pain can result in withdrawal. (Inward reaction)
• The anger and pain can be expressed externally with the result that the child’s conduct is affected.
• Children can feel they are responsible for the divorce.
• They may have recurring fears of abandonment.
• Exhibit signs and symptoms of physical ailments.
• They may even feel pressured to improve their conduct hoping to prevent the pending divorce.

Studies reflect that these varying degrees of feelings have a negative impact on the child with consequences for his or her ability to learn. Studies also reflect that whether or not or to what degree a child responds in any of the ways noted depends greatly on the factors listed earlier. For instance, while infants do not quite understand the dynamics of divorce, their parents may interact with them differently as a result of the divorce. This change in parental care could impact an infant to such an extent that he or she change their sleeping patterns. Alternatively, the infant can become anxious and fussy. This is an example of the elements that impact children who suffer the unpleasant consequences of divorce and will be the primary focus of this study. By determining what factors contribute to a particular type of behaviour parents and experts can devise a scheme by which to minimize the negative effect divorce can have on children of divorced and divorcing parents.

Chapter I
Introduction
Divorce is not merely about the severing of an adult relationship. It represents the breakdown of familial structure and functioning. (Sigelman and Rider, 446) The problem goes beyond a mere departure from the familiar, particularly the sudden absence of one parent from the family home. Effective parenting becomes difficult and virtually impossible that children already impacted by the physical breakdown of the family will have even greater problems adjusting to divorce. (Amato and Sobolewski, 2004, 342-267)

Custodial parents will typically be distracted by the divorce process and other problems whether related or not, with the result that they are almost entirely insensitive to the needs of the children. (Hetherington and Kelly, 2002, 43-66) Moreover, the non-custodial parent can be more permissive and overindulging during access and/or visitation. (Amato and Sobolewski, 2004, 342-267)

When the family structure falls apart and custodial and non-custodial parents’ discipline or care for their children in vastly different ways than previously the impact upon children creates behavioural problems. These “behavioural problems” are manifested “at home” and can also manifest themselves in the children’s :
“relations with peers, low self-esteem, academic problems, and adjustment difficulties at school.” (Sigelman and Rider, 446)
Adjustment difficulties at school as recounted by Sigelman and Rider obviously will have a negative impact on a child’s ability to learn.