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Divorce and the Family

By on January 16, 2014

Some thoughts on consequences of divorce on children:

More harmful effects for older children: less likely to graduate from high school, tend to marry at an earlier age, have lower probability of ever marrying, and if they do marry they have a higher probability of getting a divorce.

 Age of child

Adolescents: more delinquent acts, problems in peer relations, running away and truancy

Boys: aggressive and behavioral problems.
(Image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

STUDY#1: National Longitudinal data

Parents report escalating problems with their children a few years prior to and at least two years following the divorce. The two years following the divorce is described as the “crisis period.”

STUDY#2: (Wallerstein, 25 year study)

50% of women and 33% of men were still angry with their former spouse 10 years after the divorce. This colored their relationship with their children as it had negative effects on the children and the relationship with both parents.

STUDY#3: Adult Children of Divorce

Lower marital quality and stability (more likely to divorce)

Lower SES

Lower educational attainment

Better adjusted if had contact with noncustodial parent

STUDY#4: Review of 92 studies (Amato and Keith)

Common characteristics of those from divorced families

Less likely to graduate from high school

Lower earning potential

More likely to be welfare dependent

More likely to marry at an early age

More likely to divorce

Daughters: have child out of wedlock and divorce

Sons: behavioral problems

 

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Teaching Sociology is very enjoyable for me. Sociology is like a gateway to a plethora of knowledge and understanding. The subject material is directly applicable to real-world events and situations found in everyday life. The methods and concepts of sociology yield powerful insights into the social processes shaping the contemporary world. The ability to identify and understand these processes is valuable preparation for professional participation in an ever changing and complex society.