Abstract When it comes to divorce and its impact, most of the studies conducted in the past have largely limited themselves to the impact the same has on the two parties involved. In that regard, children have largely been left out of the picture. It is however important to note that divorce also does have a negative impact on children. This is a point of view collaborated by a number of research studies conducted in the recent past.
Divorce and Its Impact on Children and Young Adults
Research conducted in the past has clearly indicated that divorce does indeed have a negative impact on those adults party to the same. However, little research has been conducted on the actual impact of divorce on children. Available studies on the same have however indicated that divorce does impact negatively on all the affected parties, i.e. The parents involved and their children. It is important to note that although short-term mental anguish is unavoidable for all the parties affected by divorce, children tend to experience a variety of specific poor outcomes not only in the short-term but also in the long-term. In addition to exhibiting depressive symptoms, children of separated families are also more likely to have behavioral problems than their counterparts in stable two-parent families. In that regard, a review of the impact divorce has on children is not only valid but also necessary. This is more so the case when it comes to the development of necessary interventions to either reduce or eliminate the negative effects of divorce on children. In this text, I critically analyze a number of articles in an attempt identify their relevance as well as contribution to this particular area of study.
Ahrons, C.R. (2007). Family Ties after Divorce: Long-Term Implications for Children. Family Process, 46(1), 53-65.
One of the issues that has received minimal attention as far as divorce and its impact is concerned is the effect divorce has on a child's or young adult's relationship with their parents after the separation. In this particular article, Ahrons seeks to find out the impact divorce has on family ties. In so doing, he addresses two key questions. To begin with, he seeks to determine the effect parental relationships have on children two decades after the said parents separate. Secondly, the author also attempts to find out how a child's sense of family is affected by a parent's decision to either marry or cohabit. It is important to note that the author in this particular case clearly describes the methods utilized in the generation of data. In so doing, the author largely draws from the Binuclear Family Study which is essentially an undertaking that resulted from the observation of divorced families within a two-decade period. In regard to the first question the author sought to address for this particular study, findings indicated that "even after 20 years of divorce, when the children were grown and many had children of their own, they still wanted their parents to get along" (Ahrons, 2007). Those who maintained an active relationship with both parents according to the author were likely to experience loyalty conflicts. In regard to how a child's sense of family is affected by the remarriage of either parent, Ahrons points out that binuclear families have proven to be rather undesirable. This is more so the case given the unusual combination of both blood and non-blood relationships which according to Ahrons could effectively defy clear definition of roles.
Findings from this study as the author further points out clearly indicate that children can only have an enhanced sense of biological family as well as maintain close relationships with their parents once the said parents reduce or minimize their conflicts. Thus in the final analysis, parental conflict and subsequent divorce does have a negative impact on the well-being of the affected children. The sample used for this particular study was largely random, with 98 pairs of individuals who were at some point in a marriage union being interviewed. Interviews involving the divorced parents in this case were conducted in three phases. The collection of data involved extensive interviews with members of the family. In a way, the structure of the interview permitted respondents to tackle questions leveled to them in their own words. This further enhanced the reliability and comprehensiveness of the study.
Cui, M., Fincham, F.D. & Durtschi, J.A. (2011). The Effect of Parental Divorce on Young Adults' Romantic Relationship Dissolution: What Makes a Difference? Personal Relationships, 18 (3), 410-426.
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