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According to the American Psychological Association (APA), around 40 to 50 percent of marriages in the United States end up in divorce. Worse, subsequent marriages have higher rates for divorce (APA). There is no doubt that this process of separation has been common, not just in the United States, but in other Western cultures where it has been legalized. Personally, I know many married couples who choose to divorce, from my circle of friends and family, and I have seen how it impacted the lives of the couple’s children. This is why I find this topic interesting. Because of the psychological impact associated with divorce, it has been covered and explored by several psychological studies. These studies revealed that divorce causes great harm to children because it results to the development pf delinquent behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal tendency and the tendency to be involved in substance abuse.
First of all, divorce causes children to develop delinquent behaviors or behaviors that are against the law (e.g., underage driving and vandalism). According to a 1994 report of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, “the incarceration rate of juvenile delinquents was 12 times higher among children of divorced parents than among children of married parents” (qtd. in Fagan and Churchill 35). In other words, children of divorced parents are more at risk of becoming law offenders.
Second, divorce causes children to feel depressed and anxious. According to Lisa Strohschein, children from divorced parents shows higher levels of anxiety and depression than children from intact marriages (qtd. in Fagan and Churchill 12). Surprisingly, these psychological effects may continue until adulthood. Based on a study by Judith Wallerstein, children of divorced parents suffer from “persistent anxiety about their chances of a happy marriage a decade after their parents’ divorce” (qtd. in Fagan and Churchill 22).
Third, divorce harms children because it may cause them to develop suicidal tendency. Based on a study by Bridge, Goldstein, and Brent, divorce is included in the list of family factors that are associated with the risk of suicidal behavior for adolescents (qtd. in Cash and Bridge 16). This is not to say that all children from divorced parents will be suicidal, but they are at higher risk for this psychological condition.
Lastly, children from divorced parents are harmed in the process because it exposes them to higher risk of substance abuse. In a study conducted by Kathleen Rodgers and Hilary Rose, divorce contributes to the development of externalizing behaviors, such as substance abuse and binge drinking (qtd. in Fagan and Churchill 36). This can be linked to the fact that divorce leads to weaker parent-child relationship which diminishes open and healthy communication.
Overall, divorce is clearly harmful to children. Several studies showed that children from divorced parents are more likely to develop delinquent behaviors. In addition, these children are at higher risk of depression and anxiety. These psychological problems are almost always intertwined with suicidal tendency and high risk of substance abuse. With this situation being common, there is no wonder why I have observed these psychological issues affect some of the friends and family members whom I know are products of divorced parents. Clearly, divorce may be the best option for couples who can no longer reconcile their differences, but it definitely poses great harm on their children.
Works Cited
APA. “Marriage and Divorce.” American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, n.d. Web. 2 May 2016.
Cash, Scottye, and Jeffrey Bridge. “Epidemiology of Youth Suicide and Suicidal Behavior.” Current Opinion in Pediatrics 21.5 (2009): 613-619. Print.
Fagan, Patrick and Aaron Churchill. “The Effects of Divorce on Children.” Marri Research. Marriage and Religion Research Institute, 11 January2012. Web. 2 May 2016.
