How Divorce Impacts Children

ometimes couples considering divorce minimize how much of an impact getting divorced would have on their children. Children of all ages are affected when parents separate and divorce. It can affect their relationships, school and behavior.

Although most experts agree that if you’re constantly fighting, staying together for the sake of the children isn’t a healthy option. Instead, a better option is to learn how to get a long and keep the family intact when possible. For parents who do choose to divorce, it’s essential that they look at the drastic impact it can have on their children.

Divorce and Young Children

A lot of research suggests that the younger a child is, the bigger of an impact divorce can have on the child. Children under the age of 8 often have much difficulty making sense of a divorce. When kids don’t understand what’s happening, it can be especially difficult to adjust to the many changes that accompany divorce. Changes in living situations, only having the support of one parent at a time, and changes to daily routines can be very disruptive for children.

A study published by American Sociological Review in June of 2011 found that divorce led to setbacks for children in math. Also, kids from divorced families tended to have more difficulty with social skills. They were more likely to report feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and sadness and were more prone to low self-esteem when compared to children of married parents.

Interestingly, young kids began to have the most problems once divorce proceedings began. Although they likely don’t have a concept of what happens in court, they experienced increased distress which likely resulted because they picked up on their parents’ increased distress.

Young children often exhibit regressive behavior during and after a divorce. The stress of a divorce can lead to kids starting to wet the bed or it can make older kids revert to thumb-sucking. Young children also tend to become more dependent on their parents as they desperately try to look for reassurance they are still loved.

Divorce and Teenagers

While younger children often become more dependent during a divorce, teenagers often become more independent. Although it’s normal for teenagers to grow more independent and separate from their parents, divorce can cause them to do so faster and sometimes, before they’re ready.

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