Divorce has many affects on children. The children are effected by the splitting up of the parents and the impact it has on them emotionally is often greater than that of their parents. It’s normal for the children to feel hurt, angry, rejected, and a variety of other feelings after the separation of the parents.
If you are a single parent, then your children are going through this time too. Below we will look at some of the common affects of divorce on children.
First, children may be alienated from their biological parents. They may start to question why one parent was chosen over the other and they may also start to question the whole concept of ‘kids’ altogether.
This may upset the children to no end, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the parent affects the children negatively. There are times when single parent families have a solid, loving relationship with the children after the divorce.
Second, the children are likely to develop feelings of anger, resentment and jealousy. They will see their parent as someone who does not love them or do things for them. They may also be angry with the way that the parent disciplines them and belittles them.
It is important to remember that children are also going through an adjustment period with this new set of parents and these feelings should not be taken personally. It is perfectly normal for children to feel these things and trying to understand them is crucial.
Third, the children can suffer long-term effects from the divorce. They will be less able to work on their relationships because they will be affected by the disintegration of the family unit. They will also miss out on the companionship of friends and be exposed to a much more harsh social environment.
It is possible that children may develop drug or alcohol addictions after the divorce. This should not be an option because it is unhealthy for them to be around such people.
Fourth, there is also the possibility of the children running away from the home. This can have an incredibly negative effect on them. If the parent who has left is not responsible for ensuring their safety, they could put them in danger.
There are many situations where children become quite ill because of being alone for too long. They are not receiving adequate care and are also at risk of being exploited by persons out to make a quick buck.
Fifth, the emotional affects on children can lead to significant changes in their behavioral patterns. The child who is used to constant parental and caregiver supervision may not be used to being left alone. They will either develop an unrealistic sense of security or become suspicious and withdrawn. Or, if they receive insufficient attention from their parent, they will exhibit signs of anger and withdrawal.
Sixth, children’s self-esteem can be seriously impacted by divorce. If they believe their parents are not supportive enough of them, they will doubt their own abilities. They can feel unworthy and thus, lose self-confidence.
Their self-image and sense of worth can take a serious hit when their parent divorce and refuses to allow them to participate in family events. This can result in a downward spiral of self-destructive behavior that only gets worse as time goes on. Their self-image becomes much worse than other children are also negatively affected by the divorce.
Although no one wants to think about the possible affects of divorce on children, it is a possibility nonetheless. If you are considering a divorce, or know someone who is, it would be a good idea to talk to your lawyer first.
They can give you relevant advice on how best to approach this issue and what kind of custody arrangements would be in your best interest. A good attorney can help you gain the best possible custody arrangement that benefits you and your children.
