Divorce and Its Far Reaching Effects on Children.
Many thoughts and feelings often go through their minds. A child may feel .
confusion, grief, guilt, anger, sadness, and isolation when his or her parents separate from each .
other. During a divorce, there are many changes. These changes can be very hard on .
children. They have to move back and forth between parents, often every week. They .
may have to change schools or move to another town. One parent may end up living so .
far away, that they only get to see them once or twice a year. And sometimes, they never .
see the parent again. Their comfort zone has been breached, and they often, especially .
younger children, think that the divorce was somehow their fault. Divorce affects the .
children's self image, their role in the family, their personality, and all of this follows .
them into their adult lives and relationships.
A child's self-image may also be severely damaged, especially .
affecting the child's self-esteem. This is especially true of teenagers, where being .
accepted by peers is often worth a lot to them. Without self-confidence, a child can be .
miserable throughout his or her life. At school, a child may suffer in grades and tests .
because of lack of self-esteem, or lack of concentration because of all the stress in their .
life. Losing their professional dreams and ambitions, they can ruin their dreams because .
of their parents" divorce. If a child does not believe in himself or herself, growth is very .
limiting, whether in careers, love, or school.
Some children, especially older siblings, may be tied down due to the divorce. If .
there are younger brothers and sisters, the oldest child will often take up the reins of the .
parent who left. This ties down the child and hurts his or her ability to leave home and .
make his or her own life.
Some children get negative qualities from their parents after a divorce. If the .
children love their father, but the law says they have to go to their mother, the mother can .
