| The effects of divorce on children could be massive, | | | | question their moral values and become either |
| but this could be helped. The most common causes | | | | rebellious or overly obedient at any point in time. |
| for divorce are family problems, physical or emotional | | | | The effects of divorce on children and teens could be |
| abuse, extramarital affairs, work stress and vices. | | | | negative or positive depending on the child's coping |
| Below are types of divorces you might want to | | | | strategies. Teens often engage in extravagant, |
| familiarize with: | | | | promiscuous activities and form no concept of an ideal |
| · Legal divorce – is the lawful end of your | | | | parent. They themselves are distressed about their |
| marriage where you are allowed to remarry. | | | | future career, marriage and kids. But some do take this |
| · Economic divorce – involves the splitting of | | | | as a learning experience and attempt to make better |
| assets i.e.: money and property. | | | | decisions in the future. |
| · Co-parental divorce – is a type of divorce where | | | | Here are common concerns experienced by children |
| both parents agree to support their child even though | | | | of divorced parents: |
| they no longer have spousal support for each other. | | | | · Financial worries – Children are especially worried |
| Common effects of divorce on children are | | | | about their future career and finances if they feel that |
| psychological problems, poor intellectual development | | | | their parents divorced because of money problems. |
| and affected parent-child relationships. | | | | · Marital concerns – Children usually view failed |
| Psychological Effects: | | | | relationships as somehow having an association with |
| The psychological effects of divorce on children can | | | | their parents' failed relationship. Because of this, they |
| affect children as young as 6 years of age. Young | | | | tend to question marriage a lot in fear of mirroring their |
| children can develop anxiety disorders where they | | | | parents' divorce. |
| experience overwhelming fear of being abandoned. | | | | · Role or status anxiety – Children can also try to |
| Their feelings of isolation and sadness can also | | | | play the role of either parent in attempts to "mend" |
| manifest through other problems such as eating | | | | their parents' problems. This is considered to be |
| disorders. | | | | unhealthy especially in adolescents. |
| Poor Intellectual Development: | | | | How to Relieve the Negative Effects of Divorce on |
| Children of divorced parents usually display insecurity, | | | | Children: |
| neediness, irritability and a constant craving for | | | | Allow your child to speak openly to friends, family |
| attention. These types of behavior consequently lead | | | | members or counselors regarding the divorce in the |
| to aggressiveness towards peers, resulting in poor | | | | family. Most children react towards divorce by |
| relationships with others. A child's cognitive skills can | | | | spending more time outside their home. This can have |
| also become poor. His or her overall academic | | | | a good effect, but it can also put them in a vulnerable |
| performance suffers, thus leading to low self-worth | | | | position where less discipline can lead to drug or |
| and depression later in life. | | | | alcohol abuse. You should therefore still draw some |
| Affected Parent-Child Relationships: | | | | boundaries and continue building a relationship with your |
| Oftentimes children will blame themselves for what | | | | child. |
| happened between their parents. They also start to | | | | |