Essay Example on Divorce: Adverse Effects on Children

Divorce has become a significant concern in the USA. About 1 million children in the States witness their parents' divorce every year. About 50% of the kids born in the current year will have to suffer their parents’ divorce before they become 18 years of age (Pessin 27). Divorce is of concern as it may yield problems to children affecting their entire life negatively. This essay will focus on the adverse consequences of separation on children.

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Divorce tends to get many children distracted, thus causing them confusion. When a child is distracted, it may impact their academics negatively. An annulment means that there will be a change in the family structure, and coping with it may prove difficult for the child. This, in turn, results in a child being less focused on their studies, resulting in poor performance. Divorce deprives children of their morale to focus on the future, which may result in many of them dropping out of school (Soria, Dale, and Rachel 30).

Divorce may result in children developing depression. After parents separate, there may never be peace amongst themselves. Routine conflicts take place between the two parents, and the child may wonder to support which parent (Jurma, 99). These conflicts have negative consequences on the children as they may need to act as instruments of anger to please one of their parents. These acts may cause depression to children as they may not want to associate with the ongoing conflicts by avoiding communicating with their parents.

Divorce may lead to children lacking their basic needs. After separation, most children tend to relocate with their mothers, most of whom do not have a stable source of income (De Vaus, David 190). Most men do not want to support their children financially after going through a divorce unless they get sued in a court of law. These children may start to develop feelings of guilt to themselves, thinking they are the cause for their current suffering. These emotions of guilt may lead to children to start engaging in criminal activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adults should learn the importance of maintaining their marriages to set good examples for their children. Most divorces happen today because people never grew up in stable families. Parents also ought to learn the importance of providing for their children even after a marriage fails. Children should not be the ones to pay the price for failed marriages. Parents should make sure to reach out to children after separation to ensure they focus on their studies, and this will help minimize the rate of school dropouts. The goal of each parent should be to ensure their children are ready for their future life as responsible adults.

Works Cited

De Vaus, David, et al. "The economic consequences of divorce in six OECD countries." Australian Journal of Social Issues 52.2 (2017): 180-199.

Jurma, A. M. "The consequences of divorce on children related to mothers’ psychopathology and parental strategies." Theoretical and Applied in Psychology SICAP23 (2016): 99.

Pessin, Léa. "Changing gender norms and marriage dynamics in the United States." Journal of Marriage and Family 80.1 (2018): 25-41.

Soria, Krista M., Dale J. Morrow, and Rachel Jackson. "Parental divorce and college students’ persistence and degree attainment." Journal of Divorce & Remarriage 59.1 (2018): 25-36.