The Effects of Divorce on Children

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to distill and identify the major outcomes for children of divorced parents. The question is what are the substantive outcomes for children from divorced families? Are they drastically negative? My hypothesis is that divorce is largely a negative life event for children and will have measurable effects on the child’s health and future. The effects of divorce on children is a complex topic with many implications for children and parents alike. The research findings generally point to negative outcome in the areas of stress, anxiety, depression, guilt, socialization, insecurity, relationship problems, academic performance, strife with parents, economic challenges, physical health, and future earning potential. Children are prone to feelings of guilt, anger, and blame. Mood disorders and behavioral problems become more common. Effects are generally long-lasting and multi-generational. The impact on children’s lives tend to affect not just their childhood but their adult years. The ways to reduce the negative impacts of divorce on children include things like giving children access to both parents, all siblings, and therapy counseling. Negative impacts cannot be eliminated but can be reduced in severity and duration. Some research focuses on specific subsets of children, but this paper focuses on children as a large group and includes all age ranges.