Please discuss what could be done (by society, couples, families, courts etc.) to help children of divorce to have better outcomes.
Response to the Question:
One strongly believes that children of divorced parents should be accorded with as much support from the nearest authoritative source possible: from both parents, despite the separation, from the nearest relatives who children are most affectionate with, and even from educators who have been duly informed of the matter. The divorce itself could be devastating for parents and children alike. As such, children, especially those in their tender ages, must be provided with holistic support in terms of giving advice, information, answers to questions, and facing the fact that one parent would not be physically present at all times; depending on the arrangements made. The important thing to remember is that the loss associated with the divorce should be appropriately be filled with reassurance that holistic, unconditional love and support for the children remains. Thus, despite parents separating, the presence of one or the other should always be maintained to avoid feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety or despair to be felt by the children. There should always be an adult (could be a grandmother or father, an auntie or uncle) who is physically present to provide assistance, guidance, counselling, and mentorship, as evidently needed during the children’s stages of growth.
Response to Student 2’s Post:
It could be deduced that we share the same contentions regarding the children’s need for support systems after parent’s divorce. It is most appreciated that the divorce scenario and experience of the mother was shared and which could evidently confirm that children of divorce parents require some form of assistance and guidance through the trying times. As emphasized, since your mother was divorced from her first husband, the daughter from the first marriage had to go through the challenges of being left alone. As noted, she suffered emotional stress and even sustained some form of low levels of self-esteem; which could be an outcome of the divorce process. Although it could be emphasized that children are not to be blamed for the divorce of their parent; unconsciously, these children could have inner questions which remain unresolved regarding discerning whether they could have, in any way, contributed to the parents’ divorce.
Therefore, as confirmed, the more that a support system from the remaining parent or from trusted relatives (grandparents or caregivers) should be provided to ensure that a balanced growth and development could be sustained, during and long after, the divorce process.
