The quality of father-child relationships prior to divorce is, therefore, critical. Extended family, especially grandparents, play an important role in supporting their children and grandchildren around the time of separation (Perry et al. 2000). Grandparents assist in several areas: financial, housing, child care, legal and other advice, and emotional support (Timonen et al. 2009). Indeed, Dunn and Deater-Deckard (2001) found that children who had a maternal grandmother as a confidant during and after divorce had fewer adjustment problems. In summary, it appears that pre-divorce relationships within the family have a vast influence on post-divorce adjustment. Maternal mental health is critical to the satisfactory transition from two-parent to one-parent family life. Conflict management/resolution is a determining factor in post-divorce adjustment. Quality parenting can mitigate the negative impact of divorce in the lives of children. Support systems and services for children and parents undoubtedly ease the trauma of this difficult life …show more content…
These nuclear systems exist within larger communities and states, and several other factors, including the global economy, government policies and legislation, and availability and quality of services, also have an overwhelming effect on the process of divorce. The history of family, family law and legislation in Ireland provides an important backdrop to understanding current law and policy. Since the inception of the State in 1922, and the addition of Article 41.3.2 to the Constitution in 1937, which stated that “no law shall be enacted providing for the grant of a dissolution of marriage”, the marital family has been afforded preferential treatment. The Constitution (1937) clearly delineated gender roles stating that “by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good could not be achieved”. This is reflective of society at the time and the enormous influence of the Catholic Church in matters of politics and morality. Heichel et al. (2013) observe that morality policy change is fraught with issues such as the role of problem pressure, religion, societal values and public opinion, party positions and politics, institutional peculiarities emerging from the influence of the judiciary and international influences. This is precisely the case with the eventual introduction of divorce and separation in