How Divorce Affects Children

40% of children will experience their parents’ divorce. Each year, over one million children under age 18 will be involved somehow in a divorce (Hoph). Divorce is one of the hardest and most stressful things a family can go through, but it isn’t the end of the world. Children of divorce are not disturbed or abnormal; they react as any child would to a crisis. Divorce can be a positive thing; it does not ruin a child’s life. All children will have a different reaction to their parents’ divorce. Some will become angry, sad, or even happy. Some could rebel out, or maybe even improve. Children show greater maturity, greater independence, and less stereotyped sex behavior. It all depends on the factors surrounding them. In studies, most children …show more content…
Children are psychologically affected. They begin to fear abandonment. They have feelings of anger, sadness, depression, aggression, and impulsivity. In the long-term, some show severe depression. Children grow up stronger and more independent (Matthews). The divorce can actually benefit children because the pain and struggle teach them to become stronger individuals (Hoph). The biggest fear overall is repeating their parents’ mistakes. They also display fears of betrayal, loss, and rejection. . As they become adults, they have no less affection and contact with parents than children of intact families (Matthews). 75-80% of kids develop into adulthood without psychological of behavioral problems (Hoph). Divorce can in fact negatively affect some children – but not all. It can diminish social skills with other children, causing trouble in dating. Teens start having sex earlier, with multiple partners, and sometimes becoming pregnant before marriage. Some increased risks have been reported due to divorce, such as crime rates, abuse/neglect, risk of suicide, and use of drugs or alcohol (Fagan). However, some do not experience any of these problems at