Of course, each situation is unique. In extreme circumstances, a child may feel relieved by the separation—if a divorce means fewer arguments and less stress. Divorce usually means children lose daily contact with one parent—most often fathers. Decreased contact affects the parent-child bond and according to a paper published in , researchers have found many children feel less close to their fathers after divorce. Primary caregivers often report higher levels of stress associated with single parenting.
A study published in suggested that mothers are often less supportive and less affectionate after divorce. Additionally, their discipline becomes less consistent and less effective. Instead, the accompanying stressors are what make divorce the most difficult.
Changing schools, moving to a new home, and living with a single parent who feels a little more frazzled are just a few of the additional stressors that make divorce difficult.
Financial hardships are also common following divorce. Many families have to move to smaller homes or change neighborhoods and they often have fewer material resources.
That means many children endure ongoing changes to their family dynamics. The addition of a step-parent and possibly several step-siblings can be another big adjustment. And quite often both parents re-marry, which means many changes for kids.
The failure rate for second marriages is even higher than first marriages. So many children experience multiple separations and divorces over the years. Divorce may increase the risk for mental health problems in children and adolescents. Regardless of age, gender, and culture, children of divorced parents experience increased psychological problems. Divorce may trigger an adjustment disorder in children that resolves within a few months. But, studies have also found depression and anxiety rates are higher in children from divorced parents.
Children from divorced families may experience more externalizing problems, such as conduct disorders, delinquency, and impulsive behavior than kids from two-parent families. However, a study published in suggested kids from divorced families tended to have trouble with school if the divorce was unexpected, whereas children from families where divorce was likely didn't have the same outcome.
Adolescents with divorced parents are more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as substance use and early sexual activity. In the United States, adolescents with divorced parents drink alcohol earlier and report higher alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and drug use than their peers. Adolescents whose parents divorced when they were 5 years old or younger were at particularly high risk for becoming sexually active prior to the age of 16, according to a study published in Adults who experienced divorce during childhood may have more relationship difficulties.
Divorce rates are higher for people whose parents were divorced. Here are some strategies that can reduce the psychological toll divorce has on children:. Overt hostility, such as screaming and threatening one another has been linked to behavior problems in children. If you struggle to co-parent with your ex-spouse, seek professional help. Kids who find themselves caught in the middle are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Positive communication, parental warmth, and low levels of conflict may help children adjust to divorce better. A healthy parent-child relationship has been shown to help kids develop higher self-esteem and better academic performance following divorce. Establish age-appropriate rules and follow through with consequences when necessary. Vulnerability to both physical and mental illnesses can originate in the traumatic loss of one or both parents through divorce.
With care and attention, however, a family's strengths can be mobilized during a divorce, and children can be helped to deal constructively with the resolution of parental conflict. Talking to children about a divorce is difficult. The following tips can help both the child and parents with the challenge and stress of these conversations:. Parents should be alert to signs of distress in their child or children.
Young children may react to divorce by becoming more aggressive and uncooperative or by withdrawing. Older children may feel deep sadness and loss. Their schoolwork may suffer and behavior problems are common. As teenagers and adults, children of divorce can have trouble with their own relationships and experience problems with self-esteem. Free, unlimited access to more than half a million articles one-article limit removed from the diverse perspectives of 5, leading law, accountancy and advisory firms.
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To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq. How does divorce affect children? Studies show that a divorce process can have the following effects on children, depending on their age: For toddlers and preschoolers : because they are so young, children do not understand the need to be permanently separated from one parent.
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Law No. Divorce by mutual consent can be best understood as the legal process by which both the husband and wife mutually agree for divorce and, therefore, would like to terminate the marriage as per agreed terms.
There is no distinction between Hong Kong residents and expats in their treatment by the law courts in Hong Kong. Separation and divorce can in some situations be inevitable, however parents can try and minimise the impact of divorce on children by helping their children cope better. This can be done by ensuring children that their feelings are important to parents and will be taken seriously.
Children should be encouraged to express their feelings of their parents separating rather than concealing these feelings within which could cause them significant psychological damage. Children should be offered support and time by parents. Often carrying out activities which children enjoy can lead to them forget about the situation around them and in turn will ensure they remain happy and healthy.
Parents are also recommended to keep themselves happy and to try and manage their physical and mental stress. The better the parents are able to cope with their separation, the more likely they are able to help their children cope.
Many websites and organisations including the NSPCC also provide guidance on supporting your children during a divorce.
In conclusion we understand that feelings and relationships change and sometimes divorce and separation may be the only way forward to allow partners to move on in their life. During this time parents should ensure they behave adequately when separating to ensure their relationship with their children is not affected.
Children should be reassured that whatever the situation is their views are important and regardless of where they remain they will always be loved by their parents. Quite often parents will be experiencing a difficult time during their divorce. However, parents should ensure their children are provided with help on dealing with the effects of divorce.
Our family lawyers from their experienced have provided the following tips on how to deal with the effects of divorce on children:. If you are still unable to help your child cope with your divorce, then you may want to seek outside help. This could be from family members or other professional such as your GP or family counselling.
Many separating parents are unaware that you GP or child counsellors are able to provide support and advice to your children on helping them cope better. Do not neglect your children during your divorce and ensure they are provided with the support they need. Most children can adapt well to their new circumstances if they are provided with support and assistance from the outset.
Grand parents are often forgotten when parents separate. They are usually the last person a parent will consider when dealing with their divorce. This can have a negative effect of children as they will usually be deprived of the love and affection of their grandparent. Parents during divorce fail to understand that grandparents can provide emotional and financial support the grandchildren may need. Quite often the impact of divorce on children becomes more serious when children are neglected.
Parents should therefore encourage their children to maintain their bond and relationship with their grandparents which could assist children in coping better with the divorce. Grandparents can offer stability and reassurance to their grandchildren whilst the parents are tied up in resolving their divorce and finances.
Children who remain in contact with their grandparents during their parents divorce are likely to cope better emotionally and academically knowing they have some support behind them. If you are a concerned parent who is undergoing divorce and would like to discuss more about your children and how you could help them cope better with your divorce, contact us on or let us call you back. Our family law experts will ensure we listen to you with empathy and will provide you with a free initial consultation.
If you are making a new enquiry please complete the form below and a member of the team will contact you to discuss your situation. We are a team of family law and divorce experts with years of experience in dealing with all areas of family law matters. We are not part of a firm of Solicitors, do not undertake legal reserved actives unless permitted and are therefore entirely independent.
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