Alicia Mojica
English 101
Dr. Prothero
April 14, 2013
Divorce and its Effects on Children “We’re having a divorce”, the parents said as they were grabbing the child hand tightly with reassure that night. A moment of silences took place as the atmosphere got tense. The child sits there quietly in shock, confusion written all over the child’s face, lost in its own thoughts, only thinking, “how did this happen? Why?” Divorce introduces a massive change into the life of a boy or girl no matter what the age. Witnessing loss of love between parents, having parents break their marriage commitment, adjusting to going back and forth between two different households, and the daily absence of one parent while living with the other, all create a challenging new family circumstance in which to live. Divorce is common in today society as divorce rate continues to rocket over the years. Divorce is a gradual process that eventually results in families breaking up never knowing if they’re ever going to be together again. There are several factors in which a marriage can fail and end up in divorce. Some skip the step of trying to reconcile things and make it work for instance there is no communication going on. Where they once had that burning love and passion in the beginning is no longer there, as they become different people over the years; that person they fell in love with is no longer there. There’s some circumstances were cheating occurs or it’s an abusive relationship. In some cases it is easy for a divorce to take place. For instance, in cases where both parties are in agreement and have no children it is easier to handle a divorce. But in the cases where children are present, what happens to the children? Both parents are at each other’s throats or one is devastated from the rejection, what role does the child play? Well the options are either the child has to choose one or the other or the other is that they are completely abandoned by one of them or both. When parents decide to divorce or separate, their child or children are faced with multiple stressors. Just knowing that things are going to be different after a divorce, but not knowing exactly how can be frightening for most children. Children from divorced families have to learn to cope with the many changes in their family. The amount of contact with one parent, often their father, will be reduced. Children may have to move from their family home or change schools. They may have a decreased standard of living. They may have to live in two homes. They may have more responsibility placed on them. While the husband and wife getting the divorce are putting an end thinking this is the best solution, it’s their children who reap the most severe consequences. Children who were once looked after by both parents must adjust to living with one parent or moving back and forth between the two along with numerous other adjustments. In reality children need both of their parents by their side and not the parent’s lover but their biological parents. Not having
