Divorce and Its Impact on the Family

Introduction A significant and oft heated debate has been in progress for age regarding the issuance of disunite on the family, and to a ampleer extent specifically, on churlren of dissentent whiles. On the atomic number 53 side, there atomic number 18 writers, theorists and scholars who argue that split does non affect the children constantlyywhere the long term and on the another(prenominal) side are those who argue that dissever has a negative effect on the children for all their harps. It is indeed impossible to hold a trim and definitive conclusion based on the inquiry studies that receive been conducted over the years.Each investigator argues strongly for their own conclusions, providing statistical yard to suffer those conclusions. Does split have a negative tint on children, unheeding of age when the disjoint occurs? Does disunite have more impact on specific age drops of children? If disjoint has a negative impact on children, then, how long does that impact lowest? Do adult children of split resurrects rally it easier to blame all their failures and pitfalls on their rise ups come apart instead of taking responsibleness for their own actions through the years?These are the sole(prenominal) roughly of the passs that be the problem What impact does divorce have on the children. Very some definitions are needed regarding this investigation Children agency the children of the elevates who get split, regardless of age. Thus, children refers to adolescents as well as younger children. When a specific age range is meant, that will be clarified in the text. decouple means that the twain has gone through the legitimate process of divorce and are, thus, no long-acting legally married. Absent draw refers to those fathers who do not keep in contact with their children subsequent to a divorce.Also, the absent father does not tolerate to the childrens support. Custodial reboot refers to the parent who has legal prim ary custody of the children. flummoxning(a) a brief overview of what espousals and divorce was throughout history, and what would happen to those children by and by the divorce was finalized Marriage and disarticulate in History The roots of marriage can be traced back to era of the Romans and Greeks. For the Greeks and Romans marriage wasnt truly some amour of a pickax. It was more of a family obligation and a port to tending the family gain higher status. Marriage in Roman clock was often not at all romantic. Rather, it was an agreement between families. Men would usually marry in their mid-twenties, while women married while they were still in their early teens. As they r to each oneed these ages, their parents would consult with friends to discover suitable partners that could change the familys wealth or class. (PBS) Women really didnt have a choice in who they married, they were chosen by their fathers. And eve for the men, love wasnt haven into account becaus e it was up to the parents who they married.The actual marriage in Roman quantifys was real simple. The couple would plain have to declare their desire to live with each other in front of both families. decouple in this time was bonnie as easy as marriage. Just as marriage was only a declaration of confined to live together, divorce was just a declaration of a couples intent not to live together. All that the law required was that they declare their conjure to divorce before seven witnesses. (PBS) Divorce was a very leafy vegetable thing for the Romans. The only condition was the woman would get her dowry back, and she would run away back in with her father.If the wife was divorced because of adultery only half of her dowry was given back. The laws did not mention anything about economizes as they could not be divorced because of an adulterous they have committed. It is assumed that children were left with the father as men were the law in Roman times. Not more is know n on what happened to the children after a divorce, whether they are allowed to see their set out or not, if the mothers were allowed to keep the children, or if the childs best interests were ever a factor for who got to keep them after the divorce.Marriage in African countries was relatively similar to the Greeks and Romans, entirely with a some changes. Marriage mean a wedlock between 2 families. The last of a husband did not terminate the union of families. Upon a husbands death a relative would assume his federal agency. (Simon and Altstein) Marriage was more of a screening contract than anything else. The woman world married didnt really emergence in the long run either as if she died or was ineffective to bare children, a younger sister would take over her role as the wife But the wife wasnt fully excepted until she gave get to her front roughly child. (Simon and Altstein) The actual marriage didnt really require that untold, just consent from both parties and their guardians, as well as some tune of payment from the husbands family to the wifes. This would most likely be cattle. There wasnt really any ceremony like now it was more of a series of rituals. Divorce was a simple thing for Africans. Grounds for divorce were adultery, desertion, insanity for at least seven years, and existence imprisoned for more than five years. The children would normally have been given to the father, just now in more recent times the child would go with whichever parent was more able to take care of them.If a child was disused enough to make up their own mind the court would mean who they wished to live with, but that didnt al ways mean the childs pick would be the one he/she would be given to. In the 1500s after the Reformation, a change in how marriages and divorces were performed occurred. The peasants were allowed to marry whomever they choose, but the nobles still unplowed with the arranged marriages to keep their line pure and to improve their bureau, this would go for royalty as well. Marriage then became a ordinary affair, and it was considered part of the earthly kingdom instead of the heavenly kingdom.This meant that vows would be do in public before the church consummated the marriage. Prior to this the church was in charge of marriage and divorce but they lost that power with the coming of the Reformation. Marital disputes would be tried before a well-behaved court, not a Church court. The Church did not have legal authority over marriage. (Simon and Altstein) Also laws that prohibited the marriage of clerics, monks, and nuns were in like manner rejected. Divorces were allowed as long as there was just cause. Cause included impotence, versed incompatibility, abuse and acts of incest. (Simon and Altstein) The average length of a marriage was only fifteen years at the time, but this was caused more by death, than by divorce. In more recent times a decision was made by the courts of the linked Kingdom that t hey will not longer decide which parent the child should custody of. The parents were to make the decision together and stick with it, only if they can not agree will the court make one, this decision can not be argued. In the United States of America, arriage is the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, and a spouse is a husband or wife of the opposite sex. (Simon and Altstein) however men and women are allowed to be married to each other, in some nominates though same-sex civil unions are allowed. The church is where the marriage is held but the say must approve the marriage for it to be final. The laws of marriage vary from order to state. In the United States of America divorce rates are very close or over fifty share. Divorce varies on the state as well but some form is permitted by all(prenominal) state. Thirty- four-spot states have adopted no-fault divorce in addition to tralatitious grounds for divorce. (Simon and Altstein) As for the children, thei r wishes are considered by all but four states. The cause in which those children concur will be explained later. Literature brushup The literature regarding the impact of divorce on children is voluminous. It is to a fault highly contradictory and heated in terms of debate. Anyone investigating this topic can find research studies to support their own opinions no matter what that opinion is. We begin by offering some data regarding divorce.In the United States, one out of every two marriages will end in divorce (Marano, 2000). Despite this devastating statistic, 90 pct of Americans will marry (Marano, 2000). Of those individuals who divorce their first spouse, 75 percent will remarry, even though their first marriage ended (Marano, 2000). Given that so galore(postnominal) divorced individuals simply live with other persons or combine the homes with others without the sanction of legal marriage, the check for remarriages escalates significantly when these people are included (M arano, 2000).Out of all indorsement marriages, 60 percent end in divorce (Marano, 2000). It is not just in the U. S. that a large proportion of marriages fail. The BBC reported that one in seven marriages (16. 4 percent) end in divorce in the United Kingdom (2000). The divorce rate differs dramatically by location in the UK, for example, in Biggleswade, only 6 percent of marriages end in divorce but in Skelmersdale in Lancashire, 32. 4 percent of marriages end in divorce (BBC, 2000). The divorce rates have risen in most European countries, as well (Bjornberg, nd).The highest rates are shew in Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and the United Kingdom (Bjornberg, nd). In the year 2000, there were 45,500 divorces, a advanced high (Victorian State Conference of Teams, 2001). Anyone who has kept up with public pile media also knows that the divorce rate in China has escalated to as much as 25 percent in recent years. It has become much(prenominal) an screw that the government began debating about a new law that would make adultery a crime and that would put further restrictions on divorce in that country.Most of the research regarding the impact of divorce on children has been conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom. Two of the primary and most discussed studies contradict each other, which has come to be known as the Hetherington-Wallerstein debatea difference of opinion of superstars (Corliss, 2002, p. 40). Hetherington argues that 75% to 80% of children of divorce function well, with little long-term disparage to their adult lives and Wallerstein argues that the damaging effect of divorce on children are cumulative, and the study impact comes in maturity (Corliss, 2002, p. 0). Wallerstein first published her findings in a book in 1971 this was then updated in another book empower The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce A 25 Year watershed Study in 2000 (Corliss, 2002). In the most recent book, Wallerstein concluded that divorce leads to depression, juv enile delinquency, poor grades, among other things and that the divorce affects people well into adulthood (Corliss, 2002). Hetherington published her findings in a co-authored book (with John Kelly) entitled For improve or For Worse Divorce Reconsidered (Corliss, 2002).In this book, Hetherington and Kelly argue that 75% to 80% of children of divorce are functioning well, with little long-term damage (Corliss, 2002, p. 40). Hetherington and Kelly track nearly 1,400 families and more than 2,500 children, some for three decades and concluded Within two years of their parents divorce, the vast majority of children are beginning to function fair well again (Corliss, 2002, p. 40). 70 percent of divorced parents are active happier lives than they did before divorce (Corliss, 2002, p. 0). Some women and girls turned out to be more competent, able people than if they had stayed in unhappy family situations (Corliss, 2002, p. 40). In Hetheringtons study, 25 percent of the children from di vorced families had right unrestrained, mental or social problems (Corliss, 2002). This compares to 10 percent of children from families that remain intact (Corliss, 2002). Still, it is a much littler proportion than many other studies, including Wallersteins.Cudina and Obradovic summarized a great deal of the research, most of which concludes that children from divorced families are more aggressive and depressive more prone to anxiety and of a in the main poorer accommodation than children living in intact families (2001, p. 247). The instability of the marriage also affects boys and girls differently, for instance, boys are more often found to be more conquerable and more aggressive and displayed more behavioural problems than girls (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001, p. 247). It should be pointed out, however, that the gender differences found have not been consistent.Another finding is that the reaction of children seem to differ according to age when the divorce occurs (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). For instance, the research suggests that emotional response being more intense for children younger than 6, and for those in early adolescence at the time of parental divorce (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001, p. 247). There is also a substantial measuring rod of research that concludes that prolonged parental marital distress could be even more damaging to the childs emotional and social organizement than parental divorce (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001, p. 47). Fighting, conflict, violence all combine to make the child feel hazardous and unstable as well as fearful (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). Mitigating factors that affect the impact of divorce on children have been identified as the availability of the noncustodial parent, the affinity between the parents after the divorce, the quality of the parent-child kindreds with both parents, and the degree of economic gruesomeness and stress the child experiences after the divorce (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001).Because t he overwhelming majority of research has been conduced in English-speaking countries, Cudina and Obradovic studied the impact of divorce on children in Croatia, a society that is very different in many ways from the United States and other English-speaking nations (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). Croatia is smaller, has a relatively low gross national product and in most ways can be considered a evolution nation (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). The divorce rate in Croatia has increased over the last 30 years, rising from 13. 5 percent in 1962 to 17. percent in 1996 (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). The Croatian family reflects a myriad of both traditional and modern determine (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). Nonetheless, there is still a stigma attached to divorced individuals in Croatia (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). Cudina and Obradovic found that Croatian children respond in much the same way as children in other countries children of divorced parents are more emotionally unstable and more depressive than children from intact families (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001).The study did not support the predate that children suffer equally negative effects from living in a home where the parents are in conflict as do the children from divorced parents (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). They study also confirmed that the degree of impact is related to age younger children showed more emotional distress than did onetime(a) children (Cudina and Obradovic, 2001). Hyatt reported that the adjustment of the children is primarily dependent on the parents and how they behave after the divorce (1999). Hyatt was report a study conducted at Iowa State University and reported in the daybook of Marriage and the Family.Simons, who led the research investigation team, express that Even though divorce more than doubles the risk for emotional and behavioral problems in both boys and girls, the good news is that the vast majority of children from divorced families do just fine. . . . What is esse ntial for kids is that they be parented well. If mom and dad get over to persevere in their parenting, are warm and supportive, monitor the kids and are consistent in discipline, the risk for conduct problems is no greater than in two-parent families. This is a more optimistic scenario than is often assert (Hyatt, 1999).This was also a longitudinal study that involves 600 families and is ongoing (Hyatt, 1999). Theoretical Foundations trammel theory would seem to be the most appropriate theory to discuss in terms of the effects of divorce on children. Beginning in infancy, the child develops an fixing to the parent through interactions with the parent. According to Bowlby, an interruption or disruption of the attachment relationship can result in psychopathology (Garelli, 1997). Research indicates that the formation of attachments in infancy and childhood contribute to healthy adulthood (Galston, 1996 Fields, 1996).Research also indicates that when the attachment is disrupted, the child may well suffer both emotional and physical traumas affecting their ability to function today and in their prox life (Galston, 1996 Fields, 1996). Divorce is an event that disrupts attachments. bond certificate theory asserts that children do develop attachment feelings to people, places and objects. Research concludes that attachments are essential for good mental health. nonpareil study in Israel concluded that Attachment between parent and child plays a crucial role in the healthy emergence of the child. consequently disturbances in parental bonding will be linked with the schooling of mental disorders later in life (Canetti et al, 1997, p. 381). Note that the need for attachment is for all children. Divorce does not necessarily mean that the childs attachment to the noncustodial parent would be eliminated by the divorce. Discussion, Summary and Conclusions As can be seen from the few research studies presented, there is a heated debate and strong joust regarding the effects of divorce on the family. There is equally strong evidence to support either side of the debate.That leaves the reader with a strong question as to how much divorce actually does affect the future development and adult life of the divorced family. There is no perfect study, which means that every study has its limitations. More studies suggest that children face significant effects when their parents divorce. It does seem, however, that the impact of a divorce on a child would be dependent upon the circumstances and the subsequent behaviors of the parents involved. More studies in recent years are pointing to this premise.If the parents both continue parenting and they parent well, a far smaller proportion of children will experience significant negative effects than what has been said in the past. If the parents continue their fighting and place the child in the nerve of that fighting, then, common sense would tell us that the child will have any number of psychological a nd emotional problems as a result. It is substantial to note the studies that have compared children of divorced parents to children of parents who stayed married but whose relationship was so unstable.Certainly, living with verbal conflict and loud fighting between the parents has a devastating effect on the child. Living with parents where spousal abuse is prevailing would have tragic effects on the child, worse effects than would a divorce. Even the researchers who conclude that a small percentage of children experience serious problems after a divorce, clearly state that they are no promoting divorce and that children will develop more securely and more positively if the family is kept intact except when violence and abuse is present.The conclusions, in other words, do not support divorce they are simply saying the spotter for these children is not as bleak as has been publicized. There is another issue that one must also look at. These kinds of studies rely a great deal on interviews with the survivors of divorce. It is very convenient for many of these adults or older adolescents to blame all the problems in their lives on their parents divorce. Scapegoating is very prevalent in todays society people simply do not want to take responsibility for their own lives. The conclusion of this paper must be that 1.Divorce will have an effect on children to think otherwise is naive. 2. Children of divorced families do not automatically develop serious emotional and psychological problems. 3. The full effect of divorce on children will depend on how the parents behave after the divorce, the degree of attachment that was in existence preliminary to the divorce and the childs own mental state/stability at the time of the divorce. REFERENCES BBC. (2000, November 15). The capital of happy ever after. Retrieved April 05, 2007, BBC meshing Site http//news. bbc. co. uk/hi/ side of meat/uk/newsid_1024000/1024963. stm Bjornberg, Dr. Ull. (nd).Children and their Fami lies/Children and Society. 2002, Retrieved April 05, 2007, Council of EuropeConseil de lEurope Web Site http//eurochild. gla. ac. uk/Documents/CoE/Reports/estud/Estud_2. htm Canetti, Laura, Bachar, Eytan, Weisstub, Esti Galili, De-Nour, Atara Kaplan &038 Shalev, Arieh Y. (1997, Summer). Parental Bonding And Mental wellness In Adolescence. Adolescence 32(126), 381 395. Corliss, Richard. (2002, January 28). Does Divorce Hurt Kids? Time 159(4), 40 Cudina, Mira &038 Obradovic, Josip. (2001, Spring). Childs Emotional well-being and Parental Marriage Stability in Croatia. Journal of Comparative Family Studies 32(2), 247.Field, Tiffany. (1996, Annual). Attachment And Separation In Young Children. Annual Review of Psychology 47, 541-562. Galston, William A. (1996, June). Divorce American style. The Public Interest, 12 27. Garelli, Juan Carlos. (1997). Controversial Aspects Of Bowlbys Attachment Theory. Bowlbys Theory of Attachment. Retrieved April 03, 2007, Attachment Research Center at St. Johns University Web Site http//rdz. stjohns. edu/lists/bowlby-l/ Hyatt, Kay. (1999, November 19). Childrens Adjustment to Divorce Largely in Hands of Parents. Retrieved April 03 2007, National Council on Family Relations Web Site http//www. cfr. org/pdf/childr_1. pdf Marano, Hara Estroff. (2000, March). Divorced? Psychology Today 33(2), 56. Simon, R. J. , &038 Altstein, H. (2003). Marriage and Divorce (pp. 5-7, 29-34). juvenile York Lexington Books. Victorian State Conference of Teams. (2001, October). Looking forward in Confidence. A Married Couples Movement Conference Reports &038 Proceedings Web Site http//www. tol-oceania. catholic. org. au/publications_vicconf. htmVictorian%20State%20Conference Weddings, Marriage &038 Divorce. (n. d. ). Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http//www. pbs. org/empires/romans/empire/weddings. html