Divorce: How is it really impacting children?

When it comes to divorce there are a lot of long term effects that impacts each child in different ways. Some effects that I researched included behavioral changes, and increased risks of anxiety , depression and suicide. In Stewart's analysis of a study between the relationship between a child with divorced and and mental health she states, “In the Wallersteins’s study, five and ten years after divorce, about one-third of children who were preschoolers or school age when their parents got divorced were still depressed and spoke wistfully of life in an intact family” (Stewart 125). Kids from even such young ages are beginning to develop mental health issues due to their parents divorce.

Suicide rates were also high amongst children from broken families. "“A recent study published by the American Psychological Association reveals adult children of divorce are 14 percent more likely to attempt suicide than those who grew up in intact homes” (Upshaw). Mental health is a serious issue that so many children are struggling with. Children were also found to blame themselves for the reason their parents were getting a divorce.

I also found that child begin to have a change in behavior shortly after their parents get a divorce. Children start to develop more anger and frustrations. “In the Iowa study, 17 percent of the boys and 8 percent of the girls from divorced families versus only 4 percent and 3 percent of the boys and girls from intact families admitted to having committed at least six delinquent acts in the past year” (Stewart 118). Child can start to behave differently in order to seek attention for their parents or do it in spite of their parents.

In my research, divorce wasn't always a bad thing, some children are better off after divorce and feel more relieved that they do not have to go home to parents that are always fighting. Many kids seem to bounce back. They get used to changes in their daily routines and they grow comfortable with their living arrangements. (Morin). The use of therapy was also beneficial to a child, they were able to go someplace safe and talk about their feelings with a trusted professional. Divorce can significantly impact a child, but many are soon found to be happier if their parents breakup than if they are unhappy staying together.