Introduction
Young adults’ well-being has been shown to be negatively impacted by parental divorce. The importance of the relationship between spouses in creating either favorable or bad child development outcomes is highlighted in this research. Recently, the main goal of family intervention has been to encourage good parenting habits and reduce the harmful effects children may experience from damaged family relationships (Hadfield et al. 88). Children of all ages are known to be at risk for adverse psychological effects when their families break down. Children can handle the divorce changeover as an adaptation rather than a crisis since they are resilient. The problem of parental divorce has always led to a change in the behavior of the child in various aspects of life; this paper discusses the issue of the impact of divorce on children and its consequences. The solution to the negative impact of parental divorce on children is the implementation of quality parenting methods based on effective communication.
Problem Definition
Conflict between parents is a stressful factor that affects children, putting them in a position of emotional insecurity. Statistically, emotional and conflict divorce significantly increases the risk of developing antisocial behavior in children (Harold et al. 25). Children who witness conflict situations between parents tend to experience emotional problems in adulthood (Hashemi et al. 632). This problem is ethnically distinct: African Americans are more prone to serious marital conflict, and consequently, the negative impact on children is greater (Hashemi et al. 635). African-American families, however, have higher rates of single-parent families, so this experience may not be a dysfunctional indicator for this culture.
Children of all ages and young adults who are making decisions have their social development significantly impacted by divorce. Children who receive assistance and counseling are better able to comprehend and cope with the negative repercussions of their parent’s divorce. When a child engages in unfavorable social conduct, therapy may be used, either alone or in conjunction with the parents, to assist the youngster in adjusting to the changes. Since children are negatively impacted by divorce, children’s priorities should be prioritized during the divorce process (van der Wal et al. 468). To avoid negatively affecting children’s social advancement after the traumatic divorce process, parents after a divorce must practice co-parenting.
The pre-schoolers are impacted by divorce, and they display their unhappiness by acting out and having behavioral issues. Some of them have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep all night. Their academic performance suffers as a result of their difficulties adjusting. Divorce had a negative social impact on adolescents, as seen by their poor academic performance (Brand et al. 7266). Some children are engaged in early sexual activity and drug abuse as a result of the low self-esteem brought on by the repercussions of their parent’s divorce. Some children display antisocial conduct, such as disengagement and lack of interest in their classmates.
Young people are impacted by divorce because the majority of them express a great desire to have stable families and relationships, wishing to correct what their parents could not do in their own adult lives. As a result of the experience of emotional insecurity, young people may be afraid of commitment and partnerships, another group of people express risky sexual behavior. The social development of the children was significantly influenced by the cohabitating parents (van der Wal et al. 470). Since most of children’s needs are met by both parents, many of them are able to concentrate better and for more extended periods of time, which help them do well in school.
Young children frequently find it challenging to comprehend why they should go between two homes. They can be concerned that if their parents can grow apart, then one day they too will lose love for them. Children in elementary school may worry that they are to blame for the divorce. They might think they acted up or harbor misgivings about their actions. Divorce and the changes it brings about can make teenagers furious. They might hold one parent responsible for the breakdown of the marriage, or they might hold one or both parents responsible for the turmoil in the household.
The separation of the parents may not be the most challenging experience for some kids. Instead, the stressors that come along with it are what make divorce the most challenging. Divorce is challenging because of the pressure associated with moving, switching schools, and cohabiting with a single parent who is more frazzled (van der Wal et al. 469). Financial difficulties often accompany a regular divorce: many families are forced to relocate to smaller homes or to different communities, and they frequently have less material wealth.
Many kids deal with continual changes in their family structure. Another significant change may be the introduction of a stepparent and maybe a number of stepsiblings. Children and adolescents who have experienced divorce may be more susceptible to mental health issues. The psychological problems that divorced parents’ children endure are more severe regardless of age, gender, or culture. Children from two-parent households are less likely than children from divorced parents to face externalizing issues such as behavioral problems, disobedience, and poor impulse control. Children may encounter more peer conflict in addition to an increase in behavioral issues following a divorce.
Teenagers who have divorced parents are more likely to participate in dangerous behaviors like drug use and unrestrained sex. Teenagers in the US who have divorced parents report using alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs more frequently than their classmates do. Teenagers who has a parent’s divorce when they were young has a very significant probability of starting to act sexually before turning 16. Separation from fathers has also been linked to more teenage girls having sexual partners.
Possible Solution
One of the simplest and most accessible solutions to the problem of the negative impact of divorce on children can be called the expression of love and care by parents. Children at different stages of development may seem not to require this reassurance or even to reject displays of intense emotion, but all benefit from frequent, sincere gestures of parental love (Schaan et al. 97). Parents can express their love to their children in addition to using words by making time to spend with them and by using simple physical gestures. To demonstrate warmth and nurturing, it is helpful to establish routines of shared activities and to be sympathetic and sensitive to verbal and nonverbal cues concerning children’s moods.
Effective parenting has many different facets, both before and after divorce. Parents can assist children in a variety of ways, such as by fostering their talents, teaching them what problems can be solved and what cannot, and ensuring that they comprehend that marital disputes and divorce are adult issues that neither they nor their siblings can solve (Harold et al. 50). By creating a support system, requesting legal actions that focus on childhood development needs, and seeking medical help and preventive health services for themselves and their youngsters, parents can also significantly affect external factors that have an impact on children during the events that happen with relationship breakdown.
A significant protective factor that forecasts the long-term effects of divorce on children is the quality of parent-child connections. Unfortunately, over time, relationships between children and their parents, particularly fathers, can be significantly deteriorated. However, there are many ways for parents to improve their interactions with their kids, which is powerful and uplifting. Quality parenting techniques are among them, such as wanting to commit to one-on-one time with each child, encouraging their strong points, reinforcing desired behaviors, listening without passing judgment, accepting conflicting emotions, representing explanation, asking questions to understand emotions, allowing silence, and giving kids room to be silent (Kunz 43). These contribute to the mutual understanding and strengthening of relationships between parents and children.
It is essential to communicate with children frequently and effectively, paying particular attention to their feelings and showing empathy in return. Happy families frequently express their appreciation and support for one another in sincere ways. It fosters goodwill to take the time to observe and show gratitude for acts of kindness or concern because it promotes hope, optimism, and love connections. The relationships between parents and children can also be strengthened by establishing new family rituals and routines. By expressing a positive sense of hope for the future and reaffirming a message of enduring, unconditional love for their children, parents may deepen their relationships with their kids at the same time that they are fostering their ability to be adaptable.
Avoiding hasty entry into new relationships is another effective method for parents can improve their bonds with their kids. Although it is the sense that separating parents yearn to find a devoted new spouse, doing so too quickly might have serious adverse effects on their children. When the new partner has kids, the problems are made worse. When their parent suddenly becomes preoccupied with a new love, many children show a profound sense of loss and may worry about being replaced (Kunz 39). Children who are already impacted by changes connected to their parent’s divorce will unavoidably experience even more significant changes as a result of their parents’ new relationships. Children and new partnerships benefit from introducing changes gradually and giving kids some time to get used to the divorce before introducing more changes.
Children see a big difference in their parents’ ability to control their own strong emotions, dissolve their marriage, and start over. Parents must develop the skills necessary to manage conflicts that are frequent, intense, verbally or physically abusive, or that are directed toward the kids (Kunz 38). Children’s exposure to domestic violence and abusive behavior is highly harmful. Respect for the child’s other parent is a critical component of responsible parenting. Parents can employ a variety of strategies to shield their kids from the damaging impacts of violent conflict. Redefining their relationship as a respectful, professional partnership for parenting is one of these. Parallel parenting, in which parents engage and converse seldom, is typically preferred to co-parenting in high-conflict circumstances.
Conclusion
Since divorce is common in the world, it is essential to understand how it affects kids and find strategies to shield them from any potential harm. The three most crucial elements in protecting children are practical parenting, which includes both love and discipline, creating healthy parent-child connections, and managing conflict. The ability of parents to parent well and forge solid relationships depends on their ability to listen to their children’s hidden emotions and assist them in expressing them.
Another critical action parents may take to protect their kids after a separation or divorce is to limit the number of changes in their lives. It is simpler for kids if they can keep their pets, continue to attend the same school and activities, and preserve meaningful relationships. Children’s demands frequently vary throughout time, so it is crucial to maintain patterns and routines that are least disruptive to them. To avoid giving kids the impression that their lives are out of their control, parents need to keep aware of how the changes between them are affecting their kids and make adjustments as necessary.
Behind everything parents do to raise their children is the critical responsibility of caring for themselves. Numerous unwanted changes in sleep, hunger, and bodily tension are frequently brought on by stress. These are typically exacerbated by additional time constraints brought on by dividing parenting tasks between two residences and the economic effects of doing so in order to pay for added expenses. In order to be the best parents they can be, parents must prioritize finding healthy ways to handle stress, decrease it, and care for themselves.
Work Cited
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Van der Wal, Reine C., Catrin Finkenauer, and Margreet M. Visser. “Reconciling Mixed Findings on Children’s Adjustment Following High-conflict Divorce.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, 2019, pp. 468-478. Web.