StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

The Effect of Divorce on Children - Thesis Example

Cite this document
Summary
This thesis "The Effect of Divorce on Children" identifies the specific characteristics of the child to predict how a child will respond to divorce, and involved a collection and examination of both qualitative and quantitative data through the research efforts of sociologists and psychologists…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.8% of users find it useful
The Effect of Divorce on Children
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Effect of Divorce on Children"

Download file to see previous pages

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.

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“A study of the Effect of Divorce on Children: What impact does divorce Thesis”, n.d.)
A study of the Effect of Divorce on Children: What impact does divorce Thesis. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1547295-a-study-of-the-effect-of-divorce-on-children-what-impact-does-divorce-have-on-children-living-in-the-united-states-and-the-effects-it-has-on-a-childs-ability
(A Study of the Effect of Divorce on Children: What Impact Does Divorce Thesis)
A Study of the Effect of Divorce on Children: What Impact Does Divorce Thesis. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1547295-a-study-of-the-effect-of-divorce-on-children-what-impact-does-divorce-have-on-children-living-in-the-united-states-and-the-effects-it-has-on-a-childs-ability.
“A Study of the Effect of Divorce on Children: What Impact Does Divorce Thesis”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1547295-a-study-of-the-effect-of-divorce-on-children-what-impact-does-divorce-have-on-children-living-in-the-united-states-and-the-effects-it-has-on-a-childs-ability.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Effect of Divorce on Children

Effects of Divorce on the Mother and Child Relationship

The Effect of Divorce on Children has become the focus of attention especially since their social and psychological development, in line with the socio-cultural learning theory of Vygotsky, is determined largely by their relationship with their parents, who serve as guides that shape their identity.... This paper "Effects of divorce on the Mother and Child Relationship" explored the effects of divorce on the mother-child relationship.... With the growing rates of divorce all over the world, it seems that the ceremony of marriage has lost its essence....
11 Pages (2750 words) Term Paper

The Effects of Divorce on Children

Overall, the sources are in remarkable agreement about The Effect of Divorce on Children of divorce.... There is a significant consensus among academic publications that divorce as an event has a net negative effect on children's experience of wellbeing, but different authors differ significantly as to the reasons why such differences might exist and the long term psychological impact on children of divorce.... Your Name Prof's Name Date Divorce and Children Divorce has been something of an alarmist's dream in recent decades – the rates of divorce are spiraling upwards, all while public consciousness seems to coalesce around the idea that children of divorced parents do more poorly, an idea that is actually backed up by some scientific research....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Knowledge of the Main Changes that Go With the Divorce

The paper describes The Effect of Divorce on Children.... Throughout the separation and divorce process and ongoing for at least a year after the divorce, single mothers are often worried about their own depression, anger, or emotional needs and are incapable to respond perceptively to their children.... Clinical symptoms that co-vary with depression, such as distractibility and restlessness, may increase the possibility that single mothers will selectively attend to moderately low-frequency inapt behaviour, forming impressions of her children's alteration that are not acceptable by objective counts of behaviour....
11 Pages (2750 words) Research Paper

Effects of a Divorce on the Social Development of Adolescents

With the help of professional peer reviewed journals and online database, this paper will determine the effects of a divorce on the cognitive and social development of adolescents.... earlier literature reflected negative impact of divorce, actual studies reveal that there is minimal variation in the development of the children of divorce and those in intact families.... Besides, the process of divorce begins much before the actual divorce takes place....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

How Is a Child Attitude About Marriage Shaped by Divorce

it is very evident that divorce has a very fundamental impact on children, not only during their childhood but also after they grow up.... Divorce affects children in so many ways, and in some cases, even affects such children of divorce in their adulthood.... Are children of divorce more likely to have low regard for marriage and commitment?... efore tackling the issue of how divorce leads to the children regarding marriage and relationship commitment, it is necessary to first identify how the process of divorce affects children psychologically....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

The Role of Media in Children`s Life

His study is focused on The Effect of Divorce on Children.... The writer of this paper analyzes the role of media in children's life.... Chan and McNeal analyzed the popularity of television in China, one of the biggest countries in the world where the number of children below 14 is more than 200 million.... It was interesting for the authors to examine how the habits of rural children differ from urban children in terms of media consumption in China....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

The Effects of Divorce on Children

The paper "The Effects of divorce on children" discusses that family helps a child develop as a person and learn things about life.... Her article 'The Effects of divorce on children,' has been published on the website of, Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida, P.... An article by Sara Eleoff, by the name of 'An Exploration of the Ramifications of divorce on children and Adolescents,' tells us about the initial reactions that the child gives....
6 Pages (1500 words) Coursework

Effects Of Divorce On Children

A lot of literature discussed The Effect of Divorce on Children in relation to their social, economic, and psychological growth as individuals.... This paper "Effects of divorce on children" highlights that divorce has a long-lasting effect on the well-being of children crucially affecting their abilities to sustain long-lasting relationships.... ix pieces of literature are referenced in this essay discussing the effects of divorce on children....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us