The Effects of Divorce on Children.

Marriage is the social binding union or legal contract between individuals that crates kinship. It is also an institution in which interpersonal relationships usually intimate and sexual are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which is formed. This legal contract however, hold little to no value in today’s society. In the United States, divorce has become increasingly common, the current statistics for the survival marriages are very low. Fifty to sixty-seven percent of all marriages will end up in divorce( KSL news). Given this starling figure, the presumption can be made that each year over two million children are newly introduced to their parents separation and would be affected by this life changing event (monthly Vital statistics report). Regardless of age, race, sex or religion, divorce has devastating, often long-term, consequences. The immediate effects of divorce, such as hurt, anger and confusion, are evident in both children and adults but can be tremendously painful for children. Children from divorced families are more likely to be suffer from behavioral, social, academic, and psychological problems than children raised in two-parent homes.
The actual separation of the family will be the initial crisis that a child must deal with but many issues such as economic hardship, moving, and other major issues may follow. Sarah McLanahan, a leading divorce researcher at Princeton University, has identified moving as one of the most damaging effects of divorce for children. This is true   because the children lose invaluable ties to friends that may be able to help them cope with the new stress they are faced with. McLanahan and Gary Sandefur conclude that up to 40% of the increased risk of being a high school drop out is attributed to moving as a result of divorce. The short term effects or divorce vary depending on the age and sex of most children. Boys and girls handle the break-ups with different emotions for... [continues]

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