--Original published at Brittany's Thoughts

Divorce used to not occur as frequently as it does now. This could have been impacted by society and religious reasons since divorce was extremely frowned upon in the past. Today, many children live in families with only one parent, in split custody or with biological and stepparents. These effects on the children of divorced parents has been observed for some years now, and the jury is not yet out on whether or not divorce really does affect children in the long run.

An article written by Wendy Paris on Psychology Today shows that divorced parents can successively raise children without long-lasting negative effects of divorce. She herself had gotten divorced from her ex-husband, so she looked into research to see how her son would be affected. She found that if the children were raised by cooperative, loving and understanding parents, then the children would thrive. Research found that the parents did not have to be married or living in the same house for this to work. Parents need to be civil towards one another, present and focused on their children and provide the children with what they need to live. Overall, about 80% of children are not negatively affected by the divorce in the long run. She took this information from a 2012 meta-survey conducted by Michael Lamb. That general finding comes from several studies done over the years. Paris cited a few studies and she did her research

Another article on Scientific American Mind written by Hal Arkowitz and Scott O. Lilienfeld found that most children do not experience long-term problems related to divorce. A study conducted in 2002 found that a majority of children have short-term effects that usually only last into the second year of the divorce. Another 20-year study found that 25% of adult children in divorced families experienced severe social, emotional and psychological issues, and 10% felt the same in intact families. This shows that a majority of adult children in divorced families become well-adjusted adults. Overall, about 80% of children are not negatively affected by the divorce in the long run. In a 1985 study, it found that children exposed to marital arguments more easily adjusted to the divorce than those who were not exposed. This is thought to be true because those exposed just wanted the fighting to end. According to these findings, children can be negatively affected by divorce over the course of their lifetime, but many are not.

Amy Desai wrote an article on the negative effects of divorce on children. She found that most children suffer after a divorce, and that many experience relationship problems in their adult lives. A 25-year study done from the 1970’s to the 1990’s by Judith Wallerstein found that many of the children studied never “bounced back” after the divorce. She also found that they were more likely to have premarital sex, cohabit before marriage, experience drug and alcohol abuse and generally have poor romantic relationships. She said that many of the children still felt abandoned after divorce. Desai also interviewed a counselor who said that children never came back from a divorce and that all significant events in their life reminded them of the divorce. The statistics were not numerical and were slightly vague in nature, but she does present a legitimate study. Overall, the article advocated against divorce and towards rebuilding marriages.

Finally, Jann Gumbiner, Ph.D wrote about how divorce was nothing but detrimental. She herself was the child of a divorced family. She talks about how in the 1970’s, the literature suggested that divorce did not cause problems in children. She talks about her own very negative experience with her parents’ divorce. She notes that the 70’s psychological theory was grounded in Maslow’s self-actualization and that divorce was okay for self-growth. A majority of her argument was a rant on her own personal experience, which is valid and a fact of her life, but not easy to generalize to a whole population of children of divorce. I could not locate any other sources with cited facts about how divorce is completely negative.

Personally, I fall in between the two sides. I believe that divorce is not great for children, but that if it is handled properly, the children can prosper. This kind of argument is what the positive side is giving off. A majority of children are negatively affected by divorce in the short term. A majority can recuperate from the divorce though and live happy, successful lives. Whether this success occurs from the help of both biological parents, stepparents, or only one parent, children typically will come out of a divorce doing well after some healing time.

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/splitopia/201503/yes-you-can-raise-happy-children-after-divorce

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-divorce-bad-for-children/

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce-and-infidelity/should-i-get-a-divorce/how-could-divorce-affect-my-kids

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-teenage-mind/201110/divorce-hurts-children-even-grown-ones

--Original published at Sierra's College Blog

As divorce has become more common in the United States, the number of children who have been affected has also greatly increased. There has been much controversy over the years dealing with divorce. Should parents try to stay together for their children? Is living in an unhealthy relationship better than splitting up for children? How will the children be affected by the divorce with future relationships and their outlook on life? These are all questions researchers have examined about divorce and the side effects. Some studies believe children are harmed greatly after their parents split from a divorce; however, others say children can be well adaptive without serious consequences from divorce.

The first two writings I have read explain how children are harmfully affected by their parents’ divorce. The first entry, “Effects of Divorce on Children’s Health,” comes from Marripedia. Physical health, longevity, mental health, and intergenerational effects are the four topics discussed in the entry. This entry states numerous negative effects on children, allowing the audience to directly see the harsh consequences from divorce. Physical health problems include a higher risk of injuries, asthma, and cancer. Researchers and Swedish studies show how higher hospital and death rates increase with children who have had separation with parents. A study by Dr. Lewis Terman also explains how people with divorce in their lives can die earlier, about five years, compared to others. This work gives numerous mental health issues children can come across, including depression, low self-confidence, fear, and anxiety. Both genders are effected; however, different age groups can go through diverse stages. Older children going through divorce have to grow up faster as well. Even with this information, an opposing viewpoint is also placed in the entry, describing children improve after a divorce involving high conflict and arguments.

I believe this source is credible to use when seeing the negative effects of divorce on children. This source is very detailed with studies supporting the negative effects from divorce. Also, this writing has over forty references and citations from multiple journals and research cases. Looking at the source at first, I thought it is a credible account, but I want to make sure because it does not show an author. I search for more information, and find out this entry is part of a larger research study by Patrick F. Fagan and Aaron Churchill. As I have examined the whole article, I have come to the conclusion this is a credible source due to the research and data.

The second article also explains the harmful effects of divorce on children. “9 Negative Effects Divorce Reportedly has on Children,” is written by Lauren Hansen. Hansen describes how there is more divorce people in the world than married ones. She states nine negative effects of divorce on children including increased smoking habits, Ritalin consumption, sickness, school dropouts, aggression, strokes, divorce in their own relationships, lower math or social skills, and premature death. With each of the nine examples, she gives studies from different time periods and universities supporting each case. Within the cases, she describes how some of the negative effects depend on the divorce. The author includes from the studies both genders are effected with the smoking habits. Many of the studies show correlational data, including the one with the increased Ritalin consumption. Stress may have led for children of divorce to use this more dependently than children in stable environments. Lastly, Hansen gives direct links of each individual study for the audience to view.

This article is credible and reliable as well. This source does provide only information about the harmful effects divorce has on children from nine different case studies. Lauren Hansen leaves her opinion and bias out of the article, and provides only factual information. In each of the nine reasons Hansen describes, there is a relevant study. Each study is different, and Hansen creates a link for the audience to view each case in full detail. This provides reliable information for the public to view because the author’s reasoning is supported by data and research. Allowing the audience to look further into each study, gives clarity and reassurance for the information given.

Even though the above studies say divorce is harmful for children, there is other research contradicting these conclusions. The Scientific American has written an article, “Is Divorce Bad for Children,” explaining most children adjust well from divorce overall. Hal Arkowitz and Scott Lilienfeld, the two authors of the article, discuss recovery, adults’ concerns, and bouncing back from divorce. They showcase Hetherington’s study in 2002, where children are affected by divorce in short term with anger and anxiety. After the second year, many children are able to bounce back and do not suffer long term. Another study by a Penn State professor showcases children from divorce do not differ significantly from children with married parents in academics and emotional or physical behavior. Arkowitz and Lilienfeld explain there are multiple confounding variables, including different temperaments, involved with separation of parents. They include opposing studies; however they note there is no scientific research to back up the findings. Lastly, this article states children can recover quickly with support, less conflict, and role model examples from the parents.

I believe this source is credible for many reasons. This article has been posted to the Scientific American by Hal Arkowitz and Scott Lilienfeld. These two authors have background in psychology. Arkowitz is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, while Lilienfeld is the professor of psychology at Emory University. Also, this source is credible because the authors provide further readings and give multiple studies, supporting both advantages and disadvantages of divorce on kids. This shows they have viewed multiple research studies and have weighed the consequences. They are able to explain their conclusion, and explain divorce does not harm the children. They explain there are confounding variables, which means no direct cause and effect can occur. Lastly, the source only has a few ads, and the main goal is to show both sides of divorce and make a conclusion.

The last article I have viewed also suggested divorce does not directly harm the children. “How to Help Your Kids Survive Divorce: A Child Psychologist Explains” is an article by Matthew Rouse. As being a child psychologist and reviewing research about divorce, Rouse gives strategic ways to create a happy and healthy lifestyle for kids who have seen their parents separate. In the beginning, he notes divorce is never a positive stage in a child’s life; however, research has shown there are no major issues. He even states what other articles mention; divorce can be beneficial for some children when there is much conflict in the house. He states there are five ways to allow a child to get through divorce with no major problems. Self-care, conversing, allowing feelings, routines, and no harsh comments towards the other parent are ways in which the parents can influence their children after a divorce. Parents have to allow their children to take time and tell them it has not been their fault. This correlation between two variables will be positive overall. The important aspect for parents to control is their own negative opinions about the ex. Allowing for negative comments in a house can lead to worse outcomes for the children.

Lastly, this article is credible and dependable source to see the views of divorce on children. This article is written by Matthew Rouse, a member of the American Psychology Association, who works at the Child Mind Institute. He has a PhD and a MSW, and he is a clinical psychologist. Looking further into his background, I have found he is extremely knowledgeable about children, and he has completed research on parenting skills connecting to children’s behavior. With this article, Rouse captures the hardships divorce brings to families. He acknowledges these points; however, he proposes ways to avoid severe consequences. He includes in the article much research has been provided to support his perspective. He has no other goal except to inform the public divorce does not damage children. Lastly, Matthew Rouse captures the importance of positive parental influence on children during separation.

In my own opinion, I believe trying to work out a marriage is the best thing for a family; however, if the circumstances are necessary divorce is an option. After reading supporting articles of divorce and opponent ones, I believe divorce does not harm children or creates serious consequences. I come to this conclusion by evaluating the advantages and disadvantages from both viewpoints. I believe there are multiple confounding variables involved when two people separate from a marriage. The divorce itself does not harm the children. A child’s temperament, the family’s economic status, and morals are all aspects involved with the divorce. It is true children go through rough stages and patches during the first couple years after their parents split; however, they can overcome these challenges. Children may need to grow up faster and take on responsibilities, but they are going to be well prepared for the future. The correct comfort and support from split parents will allow the children to continue to feel the love. I believe from the articles and research provided, children can adapt and even create a better future if divorce happens to occur in the family.

Overall, some children may be affected negatively by divorce; however, this can be avoided by many means. This reasoning can be seen within my own family. I have seen divorce occur with many of my relatives. On my father’s side, my grandparents have been divorced since my father has been a teenager. My aunt and uncle both have been married multiple times, and many other close family friends have gone through the same process. With my father’s situation, there has not been harmful effects. His parents’ divorce has allowed him to see the importance of marriage and instill this meaning with his children. For instance, he has taught my sister and me to cherish marriage through our faith. Through the experience, he has also had to grow up fast to support himself and be there for his family. This is just an example how all divorces do not end with “damaged” children. In conclusion, I believe divorce should be avoided at all costs, so the children never have to be put in a situation that some researchers say will cause negative effects.

Links:

First: http://marripedia.org/effects_of_divorce_on_children_s_health (or the full research study http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/The-Effects-of-Divorce-on-Children.pdf)

Second: http://theweek.com/articles/466107/9-negative-effects-divorce-reportedly-children

Third: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-divorce-bad-for-children/

Fourth: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-22097/how-to-help-your-kids-survive-divorce-a-child-psychologist-explains.html

--Original published at Rachel's Blog

In today’s society, divorce is becoming a more and more common thing between couples.  This topic will generate many different standpoints in that some people may say that it can be a positive thing, but others feel that it can impact families in a very negative way for the rest of their lives.  The main area being looked at with this topic is how divorce can or will affect children in the long term and the short term.

The first article is titled, “The Long Term Affects of Divorce on Children,” where the author argues that being raised by parents who are happy in their marriage can help prevent their child from mental, physical, educational, and social problems.  The first main point is how divorce can lead to anxiety and depression, and how if children see their parents argue, they will think they are the root of the problem and forever blame themselves.  Also, this can be caused by children feeling that they need to side with one parent over the other, but they do not know who to choose.  This will negatively effect kids because this will lead them to having trouble in school, or using drugs and alcohol because they are feeling very depressed about the situation at hand.  A second way this could effect kids is through the establishment of unhealthy relationships.  According to a study that lasted 20 years, it was shown that children who’s parents are divorced, they are more likely to get a divorce as well.  This affects relationships because children with divorced parents have a harder time with problems solving skills that are valuable.  This is a credible source because the author mentions studies to explain his reasoning and also referring to the American Psychological Association for specific facts.

Following this idea that a divorce is harmful to children is another article titled, “The impact of family structure on the health of children: Effects of divorce.”  The author states that divorce has shown to reduce a child’s success in every aspect of life such as relationships with family, education, emotional state of being, and even in the workforce.  The author mentions how children usually will no longer see their parents an equal amount of time because they usually are with one parent over the other.  These children have a higher chance of living in poverty rather than being financially stable, living with both parents.  Lastly, the child may lose important relationships with other relatives due to the family splitting up and not being able to communicate with them.  This is a credible source because the author incorporates lots of factual evidence and also includes many outside sources to support her claims.

Opposite of this stance is the article, “Divorce Not Always Bad For Kids,” where the author opens by stating that according to a new study, couples staying together for the sake of their kids can actually be more harmful than helpful.  The author also talks about how children who grew up with their parents constantly fighting, were actually better off when they became adults.  This is explained by the researcher Gager, because they state that children overcome the divorce as they get older, and it is better if their parents got a divorce so that they were not constantly exposed to the fighting.  A final key point is that a parent’s level of happiness did not effect how well a child developed relationships later in life.  This is also a credible article because the author was able to support the facts presented through a research study at Montclair State University.

The final article, “How Divorce Effects Children” begins by saying that the way people parent their children after a divorce can help them through it more easily.  The first main point is that if the parents make it as stress free as possible, the better for the child it will be.  The author also mentioned that although it is said that kids can develop anxiety and depression, most kids do not because their parents make the transition easier on them, which helps them think that they are still regular kids regardless of the status of their parents.  A final important part of this article is the study the author conducted with 99 college students whose parents were divorced, and the types of feelings they have towards the situation.  The author explains that parents should not keep their children from having these different emotions about the divorce, instead let them feel these emotions because they are allowed to feel this way.  This is a credible article because the author has his PhD in psychology, is a Professor of Psychology, and  included the results of the study with a graphic to support it and let the reader visualize the results.

Overall, I think that it is not necessarily a bad thing if parents have to get a divorce if that is the only way to resolve the issue.  I think that parents should try to stick together as long as possible because this will be best for their child  If this does not happen, then I agree with the last article in that the way they parent the child after this, and even while going through this tough time, they should make it seem as stress free as possible so that the child is not overwhelmed, and think that it is their fault.  After reading all four articles I think that a divorce does have short term affects on a child, but as the child gets older they will understand the situation more and start to accept what has happened and be fine in their future.

References:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/122847-fun-activities-kids-dealing-parents/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240051/

https://www.livescience.com/6648-divorce-bad-kids.html

http://emeryondivorce.com/how_divorce_affects_children.php

--Original published at The Core Techs

Often times, one of the questions raised in divorce is “Do I love or do I leave?” Husband and wives wonder if they should continue to put up with the hell of a marriage they are in so their child will not be forced into drama, switching households, and separation from mom or dad. They do not want their child to feel as though they have to choose which parent to love. Although this is true, if they stay in the relationship, the concern is that the children would pick up on bad relationship habits. So many issues arise in divorce and the main decision maker comes down to the kids. Many arguements have been made as to whether or not divorce is truly that terrible for children.

Some articles claim that there is “no such thing as an intelligent divorce.” Other sites claim that there are healthy ways to leave a marriage without affecting children traumatically. So which side should be taken? An article from Psychology Today, “Divorce Hurts Children, Even Grown Ones,” written by Jann Gumbiner, claims that there are many negative, lasting impacts as a part of divorce. Due to her experience as being a child who has been involved in the divorce of her parents, she explains that it has affected her for years and still continues to do so. Many children often believe the divorce is their fault. The self-blame builds up, grades suffer, and friendships and relationships fail. The author also mentions how she was able to get into lots of trouble because her mother was depressed and did not care enough to supervise her daughter. Without the father around, there was no one else to watch Gumbiner. She also mentions how divorce effects do not happen after the fact, but instead, effects are noticed immediately – especially financially. According to Gumbiner, “Psychological theory of the 70s was heavily influenced by Maslow and self-actualization theory. People believed that it was OK to get divorced for self-growth. It was OK for parents to leave families to pursue a dream of happiness.” She rejects this idea immediately and says that divorce is selfish. The children get left behind, are minors, and are dependent. The adults are supposed to be the responsible ones – not the kids. Divorce has left on impact on Gumbiner forever; she states that when she went into a marriage, the first thing she realized was that divorce was a possibility. In any sense, this author believes that divorce leaves negative impacts on the offspring for a lifetime. Another article that states the negative effects on children is called “The Nurse Sees It First.” This author explains that nurses in all kinds of facilities end up seeing the negative effects on children after a divorce. Things can range from children being depressed, anxious, or even physically sick. The author reports that nurses see “reactions that suggest psychopathology, such as night terrors, tics, enuresis, depressive signs, and symptoms, regression, and failure to cope.” Among other symptoms come bad relationship-developing skills, fear, anger, grief, exaggerated behaviors, and more. Often times, divorce shows to negatively impact children’s social and mental growth. It slows both down and decreases their abilities to cope and understand.

Although many people believe divorce has a negative impact on children, others believe it is better than staying in a bad marriage. “Why A Good Divorce Is Better Than A Bad Marriage For Kids” is an article providing claims as to why an unhappy marriage should be left in the dust. In this article, Brett Sember claims that divorce “is a far cry better than raising your children in a violent, abusive, angry, or deeply resentful marriage.” Sember remarks that if an unhappy marriage continues, a parent would be exposing their children to constant arguments and negative attitudes. Sometimes children can even be exposed to violence, resulting in potential abuse on them or others. Even if violence is not present in the home, it is still not an appropriate environment for children. Divorce allows kids to escape one messy household and move into two new ones. Although it is odd, it is better than being in an unsafe and unloving home. It also allows both parents to be seen without having to worry about fluctuating emotions. The parents are happier and everything is more calm. Children can also learn the idea of compromising through this experience. The article also says, “Parents who choose personal happiness teach their kids to do the same.” Another article about the positive affects of marriage is called “Stepmothers’ Role in Mediating Adverse Effects On Children of Divorce.” The author in this article explains that after a divorce, children do not necessarily have to suffer from the effects of losing a parent – more specifically, a mother. After a father has chosen to divorce his wife, children automatically feel disconnected from their mothers. This can offer many negative implications, however, if a stepmother is brought into the situation, sometimes these issues can get resolved. The research states, “Addressing role ambiguity, relationships, communication styles, and reorganization can help families avoid unnecessary stress during divorce and remarriage.” Stepmothers can help amend relationships with communication, pull the family back together, and organize the family back into a stress-free life.

All four articles seem relatively reliable. The first article, “Divorce Hurts Children, Even Grown Ones” was found on Psychology Today, a reliable magazine or website source. The author also has PhD credentials. Most importantly though, I believe this author to be reliable because she has first hand experience with being a child of divorce. Although this is true, at some points the article does seem heavily biased. She makes divorce seem so negative by making the reader feel bad. The second article that tries to prove divorce as having negative effects on children is called “The Nurse Sees It First.” This article provides much more scientific evidence than the first. In fact, this source is actually a study. It was conducted in offices where nurses encountered children of divorce and then repeated the effects seen with permission, of course. Many facts and statistics were used in this case. Here, bias is not present. Sources coming from the negative side of divorce seem pretty reliable, but what about the positive effects side? The first article, “Why A Good Divorce Is Better Than A Bad Marriage,” is reliable also due to its source. This article can be found on the website of the Huffington Post. Since this is a news website, many reviewers go over the information. Despite this, because it is a news source, bias can sometimes be found. This is not the case; this article seems to provide more facts than anything. If there is any bias in this article it is not strong or meant to persuade you with anecdotes. The last article, “Stepmothers’ Roles in Mediating Adverse Effects on Children of Divorce,” is a very reliable source because similar to the other, it has been located through a database and is also a research study. Data in collected on families who have gone through a divorce, and information is collected on what kind of effect a stepmother has had from the children’s perspective after a divorce. This source has been peer reviewed many times, provide facts and evidence, and seems to be a prime source.

Overall, I personally believe that divorce is a better option than an unhealthy marriage. Staying in an unhappy marriage causes a lot of problems for the kids. Not only does it expose them to fighting, but it also exposes them to a false sense of love. By choosing divorce, kids are automatically out of more danger than if they were leaving in a tense household. It allows them to develop a better understanding of comprising, and it also provides opportunities to see both parents in a happier and less violent stage. Although divorce is still hard on the kids, imagine if they had stayed in a home where parents constantly argued and put the children in danger. Not only does this put children at a risk for getting hurt, but it will also let them think that in the future, it will be okay to stay in a more abusive relationship. If their parents stuck it out, why shouldn’t they? “Fighting is normal.” Parents should be trying their hardest to give their children a successful future, not one that gives them a false sense of hope. Problems can be resolved after a divorce, but in a bad marriage, things likely do not get solved unless there is separation.

What do you think, Core Techs? Does divorce do more harm than good?

-B

References

Gumbiner, J. (2011, October 31). Divorce hurts children, even grown ones. Psychology

Today. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-

teenage-mind/201110/divorce-hurts-children-even-grown-ones

Oppawsky, J. (2014). The nurse sees it first the effects of parental divorce on children

and Adolescents. Annals Of Psychotherapy & Integrative Health, 1-8.

Sember, B. (2015, March 24). Why a good divorce is better than a bad marriage for kids.

Retrieved February 21, 2018, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/brette-sember/why-a-

good-divorce-is-better-than-a-bad-marriage-for-kids_b_6925236.html

Zaharychuk, C. (2017). Stepmothers’ role in mediating adverse effects on children of

divorce. Journal Of Divorce & Remarriage, 58(5), 311-328.

doi:10.1080/10502556.2017.1301738

--Original published at CurtisCollegeBlog

In the United States, about half of the marriages end via divorce. A divorce is reported to happen around 2,400 times a day just in the U.S. Every divorce has resulting affects on other people involved or around the marriage. So, divorces will certainly affect the children of the marriage. For instance, in the same place I found the statistic above I found one saying if your parents are happily married, you are less likely to get a divorce. Also, half of all American children will witness the divorce of their parents. Will that divorce have a long-lasting affect on the kids in a largely negative way or not?

The most common assumption of divorce is that it destroys children in unparalleled ways. It’s said that it sets a terrible example for how kids should love, and it leaves damage to them to believe their parents don’t love them. It’s also been brought along that children have physiological damage to their health. A cross-sectional study (a study across different age groups) of divorced and intact families was brought to attention. They used over 450 kids out of these select types of families from ages 2 – 18 years of age. They showed that children of separated families are twice as likely to develop problems with their stomachs, private parts, skin, and brains. The cause is supposed to be caused by the stress of the divorce. Researchers said not even the divorce is the problem, the problem is how the parents handle the divorce. Another article said there are 2 reasons why a divorce can harm children. 1 reason is because there is said to be fewer resources for the kids. Generally, there is less income coming in, and less of a support system because there may be less contact with one parent. Most single parents tend to become more authoritarian (they will make rules and expect you to obey to the fullest) or permissive (they tend to make few demands/punishments and are more laid back). The other reason is that kids view the divorce differently than the parents. Kids often become confused and feel like the separation is almost their fault. Especially if the parents seem to get along after the split, a kid may think that parents couldn’t handle the child together causing the divorce. Usually this type of confusion will result in the kids falling into a depressive state.

There’s many places that totally disagree with that last paragraph. They’d say divorce doesn’t have as bad of an effect as the other side says. The one article that told of the health problems of divorced kids also gave an example of why divorce doesn’t totally harm a kid. In this small rebuttal, it said the stress of divorce doesn’t show any change in breathing, heart, or muscular issues. There was no increased risk for allergies, hearing, or sight problems. Other articles say a bad divorce teaches kids; it teaches them what not to do when they are older. They said there are classes that parents can take to show them how to handle their kids through a divorce. This is coming from another article that says a good divorce is better than a bad marriage for kids. They say it’s the fighting between parents that’s bad, not the separation of the parents. 2 argument free homes, is better than one filled with violence and bickering. The divorce and agreement of 2 parents separating, help children learn the matter of compromise. In 2002, a psychologist from the University of Virginia found that many children who recently go through a divorce experience only short term negative effects. They develop anxiety, anger, and disbelief and a majority of those children get rid of those symptoms between the 1^st two years. Divorce generally doesn’t have a long-term effect on children.

Me personally, I agree with the latter of the two arguments that I displayed. I think divorces do hurt children, especially the fighting within, but it’s how you deal with them that leaves the impact. One of my best friends growing up had to deal with the divorce of his parents, and of course that made him sad. I think he often felt lonely, even though he still had both of his parents, his 4 siblings, and all of his friends. His dad owned 5 McDonald’s franchises, so he often would cope with his pain by eating it away, this resulted in a significant weight gain. Fast forward, he turned into a normal guy for the most part, he lost a lot of weight gained by aforementioned eating. He was on the high school tennis team, had a lot of friends, and is currently attending Drexel University. I think at times he still feels lonely, like it seems as if he would disconnect from our friend group for certain periods of time. I think he is just an emotional guy though, whether that’s a direct result of his parents’ divorce, I’m not sure. I just know for the most part he turned out well even though he had to deal with his parents’ divorce.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/kids-divorce-risk-health-issues-study-article-1.3192778

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-divorce-bad-for-children/

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21474430/ns/health-childrens_health/t/divorce-doesnt-have-destroy-kids/#.Wo4OMqjwa00

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/brette-sember/why-a-good-divorce-is-better-than-a-bad-marriage-for-kids_b_6925236.html

https://ifstudies.org/blog/when-and-why-divorce-hurts-kids

--Original published at Sidney's college blogs

Divorce was always frowned upon for a very long time. It was not until recent years that divorce has become more and more common. Families used to stick together because it was the right thing to do, or because they wanted to ensure their children of a normal childhood. Does an unhappy marriage guarantee a normal childhood though? Are children better off with their parents separated? Or does divorce leave children damaged and broken? There has always been controversy over these types of questions. In this first spotlight blog, I will talk about both the negative and the positive effects divorce can have on children.

From FamilyMeans, there is an article called What Are the Effects of Divorce on Children? This article understands that children react and respond in various ways. Not all children are going to react in an understanding way in response to the divorce, but not all children will be defiant in reaction to it either. Each child will react in a different way than others will. This article compiles a variation of negative responses that are common from children who have experience their parents going through a divorce. The major negative responses that are listed are poor academic performance, loss of social activity, difficult adaptability to change, sensitive to emotions, anger and irritability, guilt, destructive behavior, health problems, and a loss in faith for marriages and families.

The FamilyMeans elaborates on each of these negative responses from children. Divorce changes the child’s whole life. They will likely think about it a lot and try to understand it all. This leaves the child distracted and interrupts their focus. This leads to poorer academic performance. They are unable to fully focus due to the distraction. During this time, they may experience a difficult time relating to others. They may feel singled out and as if they are the only one who has gone through this. These feelings can result in a lack of sociability. The newness of the situation can cause an adaptability problem for children as well. They may have to learn a new house, a new school, new friends, and many other things may affect the child to have a hard time adapting to different situations. Through this time, they need an outlet to talk to. The emotions of it all can build up, making them emotionally sensitive. When they can not find an outlet to release these feelings to, it can result in a build up of anger and irritability. They may take the anger out on their parents, themselves, friends, and others. Although it may only be temporary, sometimes the anger stays with them for a long period of time, affecting them as whole. Some children may develop guilt due to their inability to understand why the divorce took place. They often place the blame on themselves, and the guilt builds up. If the guilt continues after a long period; depression, stress, and other health problems can arise. This ties into the increase of health problems. The stressful time can take a toll on children. They may lie awake at night due to a difficulty sleeping because of their stress. This lack of sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to getting sick. Other psychological problems may arise as well. If conflict is left unresolved, children are likely to rebel in destructive ways. This can lead to abused drug use later in life or addiction. FamilyMeans reports that research shows that children who experience divorce are likely to divorce their spouse later in life as well.

I found this article from FamilyMeans of great use due to the credibility it holds. Within each section, they have links that lead to a study done to support the information they provided. To emphasize the negative effects that divorce has on children, I gathered information from Darthmouth. The article from their website is Risk and Resilience in Children Coping with Divorce. Many topics that were discussed in the FamilyMeans article are also discussed within the Dartmouth article.

A topic that has not been discussed previously is the financial aspect of a divorce. The family may need to move to a less expensive area, making the school weaker for their academics. Although not always detrimental, the lesser income can influence children in indirect ways. Another topic emphasized within this article is the toll that remarriage and re-partnering can have on children. When the parent starts seeing someone who does not share the same biological ties, children are resilient to form a bond with the stepparent. Children may internalize behaviors, such as anxiety, depression, and low sociability. They may also experience externalized behaviors, such as aggression, defiant behavior, and low self-regulation. Just as the article from FamilyMeans, this article also recognizes that children can develop into stable adults, but it also acknowledges that there are common difficulties that children face throughout the divorce process. I found that this was a credible source due to it being a journal of science. There are numerous studies and articles about various topics on this site.

Although there have been many negative views on divorce, there are also people who believe that divorce can be beneficial for children. The article, 8 Ways Your Children Can Benefit from Divorce from SurvivingDivorce, claims that the negative aspects of divorce are the only things that are focused on. This article acknowledges that divorce is going to be hard and it will be an adjustment, but the divorce can be a positive thing. Children are often caught in the middle of a high conflict marriage. They constantly see the lack of respect and they benefit when they are no longer put in the situation. They no longer have to take sides and be put in uncomfortable situations within the fighting. If parents are open with their disapproval of each other and that the marriage is just not working, the divorce can bring relief to children. Being away from the hostility can benefit them, rather than keeping them in an unstable environment. When the parents are able to remain civil with each other and maintain a positive relationship, the children are able to see the maturity and look up to that. They respect the way their parents handle the situation, and they learn that relationships can be saved even when you are no longer together. Another way the child may benefit is by getting the proper parenting they should be getting. If the parents are consumed in fighting with each other and fighting, then the child is often left in neglect of proper love and care. When they divorce, the parent is then able to love and care for their children properly again. The parent may also cherish that time with their children more. Normally there is split custody, so they value the time they have with them more. This values time with them can create a stronger one-on-one bond between the child and parent. In the negative aspects of divorce, the idea of remarrying and cohabiting with someone else was an issue. In this article, it brings the positive that they may gain the sibling they always wanted. They will have more extended family to lean on and get to know. It also took a positive look at moving into a new house. The new house can bring the opportunity for the child to make many new friends.

If the child is older and has younger siblings, they can take on a role of maturity and responsibility. They often feel as though they need to take care of the younger siblings and make sure that they are okay. This enhances their strength and responsibility at a young age. The last point that SurvivingDivorce makes is that the children may have a better understanding of life. They may be more tolerant, caring, and helpful because of the situation they went through. Without this hardship, they may have never learned to be so mature and take such responsibility. I found this to be a credible source because it is a source from a divorce coach. There are many articles regarding divorce on this website. To reinforce the ways divorce can influence children positively, I gathered information from the article Benefits of Divorce for Children from TotalDivorce. This source is from a factual website about divorce. It gives the laws of divorce, lawyers to contact, child custody and support, and what to expect after the divorce. It also gives links within the article to the study that they took this information from.

The TotalDivorce article has a few points that were not mentioned within the article in SurvivingDivorce. Children who experience their parents getting a divorce often have better communication skills. They learn to communicate between each parent with deadlines and events. The changing between houses also enforces organizational skills. They may need to know which different bus to take home a certain day, and which clothes and books they need to pack. They may also have better time management skills. It ties into the organizational skills that they develop. They know when they are going to be with which parent. This will influence their motivation to get things done, such as assignments. The last positive point that this article brings is that the children will develop good relationship building skills. They meet and get to know people due to their parents meeting others. They learn this skill at an early age rather than later in life as most people do. It teaches them how to adapt in various ways and builds them as a whole.

Overall, I believe that both sides have reasonable arguments. However, I agree that divorce has mostly negative effects on children. Although it was looked at as positive for children to be mature and responsible, I believe that it pushes the children out of their adolescence. They should not have to take on the responsibilities that they are taking when their parents get a divorce. I feel that they are forced to grow up way too soon. I do not think that if a child experiences a divorce that they will be forever damaged and unhappy, but I do believe that it leaves lasting hardships on the child. The constant bickering and fighting may be strenuous to the child, and the divorce may ease that, but the other factors of the divorce may over ride that and cause more harm on the child. Although I can see how some may take these positive outlooks as plausible, I do not agree that divorce truly has positive outcomes on children.

Resources

1. https://www.familymeans.org/effects-of-divorce-on-children.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Youth%20Development&utm_content=082017Happy&utm_keyword=effects%20of%20divorce%20on%20children&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzrTUBRCnARIsAL0mqczMCHmot7PnGjXhQPX6gu3eF4QYr4UZ9ucYMBMWNaoN7x6T3fZthIsaAo8JEALw_wcB
2. http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/2010/05/risk-and-resilience-in-children-coping-with-parental-divorce/#.Wo7dPqjwZPZ
3. http://www.totaldivorce.com/after-divorce/parenting/divorce-benefits-for-children.aspx
4. http://survivingdivorce.co.uk/8-ways-your-cht-from-divorce/

--Original published at Melissa's Blog

Today, divorce is becoming extremely prevalent. Marriages are crumbling at an accelerated rate compared to the past. Some may argue that the influx in divorce rates is occurring due to laziness and a lack of effort from couples. Contrary, divorce is necessary when marriages are toxic. Divorce is a challenging and emotional journey for couples and becomes much more complex when children are involved. Some argue that divorce has lifelong negative effects on children, while others contend that children are only affected for a brief period and successfully adapt to their new situation.

Following that, Dr. Shoshana Bennett is an example of someone who argues that divorce can have positive effects on children. Dr. Bennett communicates this belief in her article “Divorce And Kids: 5 Ways Divorce Benefits Kids,” published on the Huffington Post. Dr. Bennett is trustworthy because she is a licensed psychologist, has been practicing for 25 years, and has authored several articles and videos regarding divorce. One argument is that children will thrive after divorce because both parents will be happy again. Correspondingly, when parents split they are less likely to fight and children will be more relaxed and at ease. Bennett also addresses a common concern many parents face: staying in an unfit marriage for the sake of their children. Children, however, are fully aware of their parent’s unhappiness, and feel guilty and blame themselves for their parents’ despondent behavior. Instead, parents should flee their unhealthy marriages to teach their children to take control of negative situations and protect themselves. Additionally, Bennett says, when parents share custody, children will form close-knit relationships with both parents because they spend individualized time with them. In this circumstance, both parents will nurture and provide for their children. Bennett’s final point is that children benefit from seeing their parents prosper as an individual or with another partner.

Hal Arkowitz Scott O. Lilienfeld cite scientific studies to support their claim that the negative effects of divorce are short-term. Hal Arkowitz has a PhD in psychology, is a retired associate professor, and is currently involved in a clinical-research project. Scott O. Lilienfeld is also credible because he has a PhD in clinical psychology, was an associate professor, researches personality disorders and traits, and is involved in multiple research projects. Arkowitz and Lilienfeld’s article “Is Divorce Bad for Children?” published in Scientific America, discusses how to prevent divorce from negatively impacting children. The co-authors cite a study’s claim that children initially experience anxiety, anger, shock and disbelief, which typically subside within two years after divorce. Another study revealed insignificant variations in emotional, academic, and social behaviors between children from divorced and intact families. A study also showed that children’s reactions to divorce were correlated with their parents’ relationship. If parents who appeared happy got a divorce, then children were confused and negatively affected. When parents in obvious unhealthy marriages split, the children were relieved. The authors argue that parents’ behaviors before and after divorce influences how children are affected. The only notable result showed that young adults from divorced parents experience more difficulty forming and sustaining relationships. Therefore, Arkowitz and Lilienfeld conclude that children of divorced parents tend to adjust well.

On the other hand, Ilana Simons wrote the article “Children of Divorce are Good Actors” to express her claim that divorce negatively effects children. Simons is reliable because she earned a PhD in literature and psychology and has her own private practice. Simons argues that children of divorced parents are living two different lives, one with mom and another with dad. She shares of a young boy who unconsciously changes his identity, his emotions and personality, to satisfy and agree with each parents’ perspective of the divorce. The boy struggles with drastic, confusing mood swings. Simons references the term split existence, from Elizabeth Marquardt’s book, to describe how children are unconsciously pressured to keep secrets from the other parent and worry about resembling one parent too much. In addition, these children unintentionally formulate their own morals when both households’ rules conflict. Thus, Simons argues that divorce has negative effects because children change themselves by behaving differently with each parent.

Likewise, Carl E. Pickhardt’s article, “The Impact of Divorce on Young Children and Adolescents,” explains how children and adolescents are negatively affected by divorce. Pickhardt is credible because he has a PhD in psychology, works in private counseling, is a member of the American and Texas Psychological Associations, and has participated in televised interviews about family life. Pickhardt argues that children become more dependent on their parents and adolescents more independent after divorce. Overly dependent children lose trust in their parents, are conflicted with unfamiliarity and uncertainty from the onset of another household, and experience separation anxiety because they are always away from one parent. Pickhardt opposes the argument that parents should celebrate special events together because it gives children false hope of their parents remarrying. Additionally, divorce can result in an increase in negative behaviors, such as bedwetting, crying at bedtime, and tantrums. According to Pickhardt, adolescents tend to rebel and disregard rules after divorce, as revenge on their parents. To conclude, Pickhardt argues that it is common for children and adolescence to be negatively affected by their parents’ divorce.

I have mixed feelings on this conflicting topic because I am a child of divorce. Although I agree with claims made by the authors who find positivity in divorce, I find the articles about the negative effects of divorce more realistic. I agree with Dr. Shoshana Bennett’s claims that children benefit from divorce because they learn to avoid and escape toxic situations and are happier when their parents are happier. I disagree with Bennett’s assertions that children are pleased when a parent finds a new partner, and that both parents provide nurture and financial stability after divorce. I agree with Hal Arkowitz and Scott O. Lilienfeld that the parents’ relationship and behavior towards each other affects how the children are impacted by divorce, but I disagree that children of divorce struggle with forming and sustaining relationships in adulthood. Rather, they learn what characteristics to refrain from when searching for their spouse.

I completely agree with both authors who argue that divorce has negative effects on children. I concur with Ilana Simons that children can be confused and overwhelmed from having different rules and structures with each parent, and I support her claim that children have a fear of upsetting one parent if they enjoy time with the other. I also agree with Carl E. Pickhardt’s opinion that children become more dependent on their parents and adolescence become more independent. Overall, I believe divorce has more negative effects on children than positive. To conclude, families’ relationships and situations before the divorce, and how each parent behaves post-divorce, are extremely correlated with how children are affected.

Links to sources:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-divorce-bad-for-children/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/18/divorce-and-kids-5-ways-d_n_1519485.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-literary-mind/200907/children-divorce-are-good-actors

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201112/the-impact-divorce-young-children-and-adolescents

--Original published at Max'sPHY105blog

Divorce is a highly debated issue that is becoming more common. Many people feel that divorce overall is not a good thing. Yet there are some people who feel that sometimes, divorce is a good thing. Married couples who consider divorcing commonly look into how divorce can have a good or bad effect on their children. There are a number of psychological studies devoted to answering these questions.

One such article that argues divorce is a bad thing for children is, “When and Why Divorce Hurts Kids,” by Harry Benson. This article is a reliable source because it explains why and how divorce hurts kids and backs its claims up with reasons and examples. One of the things it mentions is that children loosed financial resources and social support. When parents divorce, their children are left to stay with only one of their parents  (usually the mother). Most single parents are forced to use government benefits to afford to homes as the total family income is split. This causes parents to have less time to have negative repercussions for their children. This causes children to have less parental influences growing up, which can cause them to not be successful in life. Harry also mentions that children of divorced parents often perceive the divorce different from how the parents perceive it. The children often are unsure of why their parents divorced and sometimes blame themselves for it. As a result, these children struggle with anxiety and depression.

Another article that argues divorce is bad for children is, “How Divorce Affects Children,” by Robert E. Emery. This article is a reliable source because it explains its reasons for why divorce hurts children and references other studies about divorce to support its claims. In this article, Robert argues that divorce is stressful for children of the divorcing couple for various reasons. One of these reasons that the relationships between parents and there children becomes strain. Divorce causes children to loose one parent which is usually the father. There is also increased conflict with the parent the child still lives with as tensions build up from anger resulting from the divorce. Robert also mentions that children of divorced parents often suffer from psychological and behavioral problems. They break rules, often get angry, or become sad for long periods of time. Some kids even suffer from depression. Finally, Robert explains that divorce gives children painful memories and ongoing worries about their relationships with their parents. Robert backs this up with certain responses people gave about their parents divorce if they did this. They are mostly negative toward their parent’s divorce. Some said that their childhood was cut short because of the divorce. Others said they missed their father. Others admitted that they would be a different person than they currently are if their parents had not divorced.

Although divorce has strong disadvantages on children, sometimes it is necessary. An article that explains why this can be true is, “Why a Good Divorce is Better than a Bad Marriage for Kids.” While it admits that divorce is difficult for children, this article argues that divorce is better for children than remaining in a strained marriage. This article is credible because it addresses reasons divorce is hard on children and gives counter arguments toward these reasons. The article explains how an strained marriage exposes children to daily arguments, shouting, and sometimes violence among their parents. Children in these situation deal with continuous cycles of disputes, sadness, or hate. Such an environment is not nurturing or loving. Divorce might be hard on children, but they can still be loved and nurtured by their parent. This is better than living with arguing parents with no love or support. The article goes on to explain other benefits children receive from a good divorce. It mention that two separate homes without fighting is better then one home with fighting because, two homes without fighting allows kids to be themselves without having to work around negative emotions. It also explained that happy parents are better parents because they create happy environments that is best for children. Finally, the article explains how divorce can discipline children work through harder times. Children with divorce parents can learn how to handle such a hard situation and can allow them to be better prepared for hard situation in their future.

Another article that argues that children do not always suffer from divorce is, “5 Reasons Divorce is Good for Kids,” by Michele Zipp. This is a credible article because it uses results found in studies to support its claims. Michele also explains that divorce is better than a bad marriage, even for kids. She mentions that from a divorce, children learn that there are some problems in life that cannot be fixed. They learn this through the example of their parents being unable to resolve whatever conflicts they have. Michele also explains how divorce can lead to greater involvement from each parent. If parents split up, they often try to make time to spend with their children, which can sometimes cause parents to spend more time with their children than before. Even if this is not the case, research shows that the amount of time children spend with their parents has little effect with how they turn out in the future, so split custody does not harm children. Finally, Michele explains how divorce can build communication skills for parents and children. There is a lot to keep track of with children. These things include sport events, club meetings, lessons, and more. When children live with one parent who must keep track of these things, their is more need for communication in the household, as children must remind their parents of such events.

There are varying opinions about divorce. Most people believe that divorce is bad for children entirely. Other people feel that children can come through a divorce without serious consequences. Based on my reading of the four articles I mentioned, I agree that divorce is inherently harmful for children because they loose social and financial support living with only one working parent who often struggles to support the children. However, I am convinced that divorce is better for children than a strained marriage because such a marriage does not give children love and nourishment with certainly will not benefit them in the future. Divorce is hard for children, but if they are still receiving love and nourishment they still have a chance to be successful in life.

Benson, Harry. “When, and Why, Divorce Hurts Kids.” Ifstudies, 16 Sept. 2014, https://ifstudies.org/blog/when-and-why-divorce-hurts-kids.

Emery, Robert. “How Divorce Affects Children.” Emery About Children and Divorce, 2018, http://emeryondivorce.com/how_divorce_affects_children.php.

“Why a Good Divorce is Better Than a Bad Marriage for Kids.” Statefarm, https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/family/why-a-good-divorce-is-better-than-a-bad-marriage-for-kids. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.

Zipp, Michele. “5 Reasons Divorce is Good for Kids.” Cafemom, 6 May 2015, http://thestir.cafemom.com/being_a_mom/185137/5_reasons_divorce_is_good.