Effects of Divorce on Childern

Half of all children in the United States are children of divorce. Divorce can cause a huge problem with a child’s psychological development. In this paper one will learn that children of divorce pa

Older children’s (teenagers) reaction to divorce is usually handled a lot better than younger children. Children at this age have a better understanding of divorce, which allows parents to communicate with them about the situation. They understand the reasons behind their parents divorce. “They recognize that strong differences of opinion, incompatible personalities, and lack of caring for one another are responsible (Infants and Children, pg.507). Some children at this age could have problems adjusting to taking on extra chores and responsibilities. These children also may have to take on the extra burden of looking after their younger siblings, emotional support of a depressed, anxious mother. If these demands are too great, older children may eventually become resentful and withdraw into some destructive behavior patterns described earlier in the paper (Infants and Children, pg.507).

There are many factors that bring on problems with development do to divorce. Relationship with parents, sex, and age are all different factors that bring on different problems of divorce. These problems can be the same, but brought on by different factors of divorce. What we must understand is that the information in this paper show that the parents/primary caregivers are the main source of example and developmental information for the child’s developmental health. If the parents can learn to build an understanding relationship despite the differences that divorce presents, then the child will grow and develop without to many abnormal problems or disadvantages that children of divorce are most likely to go through.

The child’s age is also an important factor in how much divorce will affect him/her. Dr. James M. Harris, III, Ph.D. says in his paper, “Divorce and its Affects on Children Ages 0 through 5”, that divorce can have on affect on children in the womb. As divorce causes high levels of stress for the mother, the fetus is affected by the chemicals in the mother’s bloodstream (Harris). Harris states, that this stress can also cause fetal activity to increase as much as 300 percent, which may result in premature births and low birth weights. These strains can also cause trouble sleeping, cry more often, and have digestive problems. “The strain is then increased for the mother trying to adjust to a new born” (Harris). Infants can also have serous affects because they do not experience the routine care and play from their fathers. “Fathers hold their babies more often for play, and mothers hold them in order to take care of them” (Harris). Bonding is also affected between mother and child. Without the financial support of the father/husband, new mothers are forced to put their infant in the care of another while they must work to support the child. By holding the child frequently and securely, anxious infants are more secure. “A calm, soothing voice and eye contact will reassure the child that their needs are met” (Harris). Quality and consistency is the most important factor of a child’s care at this age.

rents tend to show problems with their relationship with their parents. These children also tend to show problems in school and with developing friendships. One will also see the difference in problems between boys and girls and how divorce affects the development of an infant compared to how it affects an older more developed child.

As children get older, they begin to understand the concept of morals. During the age of nine to twelve years old, children are told to do “moral” things, but when they see parents break rules it creates a conflict within children (Harris). Thus children often became confused to what is moral and what is not. Kids experiencing divorce at this age feel deep anger and often don’t even know why they are angry. These children often feel cheated, hurt, guilty, and just plain mad. “It is not unusual to see fights at this age because children are very sensitive and ofte

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