Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Maria Buri
Ms. Basile
English 9H
7 April 2017
The technical definition of divorce refers to two married adult people, but if the
marriage involves children, the people involved should remember that kids are arguably
the most important part of the divorce process. Firstly, this is in part because "more than
1 million children in the United States are affected by divorce or separation every year"
(ABC). Secondly, studies have shown that children are always impacted negatively by
their parents divorce, which can lead to children disregarding important values that
include devotion, love, and the like; and being mentally unhealthy later in life (Education
Journal). In addition, the parents negative feelings towards each other can hurt the child
indirectly. Children who find themselves without a voice during the divorce process can
become unintended targets for damage, but they are not paid attention to because
people claim that kids are strong and unaffected (Medved). Divorce can be necessary in
a troubled relationship and better in the long term, but parents and governments have to
Although every child should have a support system while going through the rough
experience of a divorce, there are particular effects that should be highlighted. For
example, children of divorce have sex at an earlier age, more frequently, and with more
people than children with married parents, leading to a higher chance of becoming
pregnant at a young age (Orgils, Carratal, Espada). Likewise, research has shown
that children with divorced parents are associated with "a decreased probability of
graduating from high school and lower levels of education and less prestigious
Furthermore, children of divorce are known to develop conditions such as anxiety, fear
of separation, and an obsessive need for control. In conclusion, regarding the plethora
of divorces harmful effects on children, it is necessary for most everyone to realize that
despite divorce being between two married adults, the children are the ones who are
most affected and therefore the ones who need to be supported and assisted during the
separation process.
However, these effects can be reversed with the correct legislative assistance.
children. However, there are almost no laws in the United States of America and other
more developed countries aimed to help kids. Research shows that "more than 1 million
children in the United States are affected by divorce or separation every year," yet no
one has succeeded in truly helping them in a legislative sense (ABC). Regardless of the
law, there are organizations, businesses, and professionals who strive to assist children
during the divorce process. However, with children being so profoundly affected by their
parents separation and most unable to access assistance for varied reasons,
governments need to be involved as well. In the United States, many lawmakers have
and are currently working on other bills or provisions regarding the divorce process.
Some states in America have begun to consider legislation that details what happens to
pets during a divorce, but specific and comprehensive assistance for children is
generally ignored (Brulliard). In addition, other places in the United States are
developing regulations for how to handle electronic data, domestic abuse, and the
speed of divorce during a couples separation. Despite all of this, some people are
working on supporting children of divorce. A few states have legislation and guidelines
in place for children/judge meetings and child participating in divorce decision making,
meetings that could give children a voice and encourage them to ask for help and more
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importantly, help themselves (Bala, Birnbaum, Cyr, McColley). Many researchers and
authors believe that these can be valuable for judges, children and the divorce
children during their parents divorce is very effective: however, most governments and
There are several ways in which this improvement can happen, including
laws in a basic sense, people must know that research from all over the world shows
that staying in touch and spending time with both parents equally and in a positive way
can combat negative effects of the divorce and implement that into any regulations they
might make (Vanassche, Sodermans, Matthijs, Swicegood). School, as a very large part
- arguably as large as the parents - in the lives of most children, also needs to be
highlighted. Parents should communicate with people in the child's life to make things
easier, for example "communication with schools is confidential, and parents can ask to
speak with the teacher, principal, school social worker or guidance counselor" (Silver),
Legislation should also factor in the knowledge that open and healthy communication,
professional help, the support of other adults, low parental conflict, schedules, routines,
and consistency can be profoundly effective in combating the negative effects of divorce
on a child. Although all of this is important, legislation should make sure to listen to the
child above all. Interviews with children have shown that, to help combat negative
effects of divorce, parents should know that children do not want "to be your messenger,
you to put our other parent down, to hear about the money, to be your private detective
or spy, you to not attend our important life events because you 'cant stand to be in the
same room' as our other parent, you refuse to get professional help if you cant get over
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the divorce" (Feuerman). Businesses, government, and the general public should take
these many opportunities and methods to support children because the most important
BALA, NICHOLAS, et al. "Children's Voices in Family Court: Guidelines for Judges
Meeting Children." Family Law Quarterly, vol. 47, no. 3, Fall2013, pp. 379-408.
EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=afh&AN=102824281&site=ehost-live.
Brulliard. "Pets No Longer Just Property in Alaskan Divorce Cases - North Shore." Pets
"Children Suffer Effects of Divorce." Education Journal, no. 145, 09 Nov. 2012, p. 5.
EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=afh&AN=83406526&site=ehost-live.
Feuerman, Marni. "10 Things Kids Of Divorce Wish Their Parents Would Stop Doing."
Medved, Diane. "No, You can't have a Good Divorce." USA TODAY, 24 Oct, 2013, pp.
target="_blank">https://sks.sirs.com.
"New Study on Effects of Divorce on Kids." 6abc Philadelphia. 6ABC, 07 Mar. 2017.
Orgils, Mireia, et al. "Perceived Quality of the Parental Relationship and Divorce
doi:10.1080/13548506.2014.911922.
Sigal, Amanda B., et al. "Enhancing Youth Outcomes Following Parental Divorce: A
and Occupational Goals." Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, vol.
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41, no. 2, Mar/Apr2012, pp. 150-165. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.1080/15374416.2012.651992.
Silver, Erin. "How to Manage Back-to-school Situations When You're Newly Divorced."
Divorce." Journal of Family Studies, vol. 19, no. 2, Aug. 2013, pp. 139-158.
EBSCOhost, doi:10.5172/jfs.2013.19.2.139.