Amato, P. R. (1994). Life-Span Adjustment of Children to Their Parents' Divorce. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 143-164.
According to this article, it is argued that children who are raised by both parents exhibit healthier psychological and behavior patterns compared to those who grow up in disrupted families. The death of a parent or both parents has often been viewed as the traditional and most common reason for disrupted childhoods. However, over the recent times, it has been observed that divorce among couples has been an increasingly prevalent reason for the disruption of families. During such situations, most children are disillusioned by the fact that their families split up.
On average, it has been observed that those children living in divorced families encounter more problems and exhibit declined levels of self-esteem and wellness as compared to their counterparts in families with both parents staying together. The notion that children smoothly adapt to instances of divorce between their parents is not correct. The loss of the strong family attachment that is built when children stay with both their parents affects their psychological and emotional stability when their parents go through a divorce. The period of time that children in a divorced family will take before they can adjust to the new situation depends on a number of factors. These comprise of the following: age, gender, ethnicity, and race.
Berhrman, R. E., & Quinn, L. S. (1994). Overview and Analysis. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 4-14.
Divorce has become a critical topic of debate in the United States in recent years. It continues to receive increased attention from members of the professional and academic fields. In addition, the media has also been at the forefront addressing the issue of divorce. The process of divorce is always difficult for a many couples. Most cases of divorce are psychologically and financially draining on the part of the couple. However, the situation is particularly more complicated when there are children conceived in the marriage. Most often, these children do not seem to comprehend the actual meaning of a divorce when it happens.
However, the reality and harshness of family break ups sets in, it becomes difficult for such children to adjust to the new situation. Research has shown that children that are raised in families with single or separated parents experience more difficult time growing compared to those raised by both their parents. Of outmost importance is the need to sensitize parents about the impact that divorce have on children. This may help them better understand the implications that the process may have on their children and thus mitigate the situation better in case they decide to go on with the divorce. It is essential to initiate public assistance programs to help divorced women adequately provide for the needs of the children.
Furstenberg, Jr., F. F. (1994). History and Current Status of Divorce in the United States. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 29-43.
Although divorce has not always been part of the American history, cases of family dissolution have always been a matter of concern for the American society. Family patterns in the United States are simultaneously similar and different from those in other developed nations. “Divorce rates in the United States began to rise shortly after the Civil War and continued on a steady upward course for more than a century” (Furstenberg, 1994). Until late 19th century, the practice of divorce was shunned by the people. It was treated as a failure of a couple to manage and maintain a family. Generally, citizens of America acknowledge that the responsibility of protecting the future of children lies with all of them.
Currently, however, there seems to be little consensus about what “responsibility” for the children actually constitutes. It is also unfortunate that the future prosperity of children in the United States depends on lack of agreement by the general public on the way forward. The prosperity of the American people is built on strong family bonds and attachment. The American people are more active in raising concerns about the need to manage divorce more sensitively to children’s concerns.
Kelly, J. B. (1994). The Determination of Child Custody. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 121-142.
Cases of divorce in the United States are often followed by court battles for custody of the children. This is because the divorced couple ceases to live together and as result, they contest in order on who will keep the children. Such cases have often proven to be more intense and emotional as both parents strive to convince the courts why they deserve to keep the children. Unfortunately, cases of custody adversely affect the children as they often fail to understand why they can no longer stay with both parents together as one family. For a long period of the time, the right to custody has often favored divorced mothers. This is because women have an attributed maternal instinct that is considered to be beneficial for the development of the children.
However, recent periods of time have seen the emergence of other significant factors of consideration. These include the financial stability of the family. There are two types of custody; legal custody and physical custody. The health and well-being of the child influence decisions pertaining to legal custody. The physical custody of involve the living arrangement for the children. Consideration is given on the most appropriate living conditions for the children given the change in the set up of the family.
Teachman, J. D., & Paasch, K. M. (1994). Financial Impact of Divorce on Children and Their Families. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 63-83.
This article takes a look at the impact that divorce cases have on children and their families. Most studies reveal substantial effects on the relative economic welfare of many divorced parents decline after the separation. One of the costs involves the legal fees paid to process the custody process. Other costs involve maintaining of two households by the party that will be providing maintenance and upkeep for the children. One impediment why information about the economic impact of divorce on children and their families is unavailable is because collection of data on such information has not been forthcoming. “Unfortunately, such data do not exist. Consequently, all research on the economic consequences of divorce involves tradeoffs concerning data content” (Teachman & Paasch, 1994). However, it has been notably observed that households headed by divorced women are generally more impoverished as compared to those headed by two partners. The financial burden seems to weigh more heavily on divorced women who have obtained custody of their children than those couples who have stayed together to raise their children.
References
Amato, P. R. (1994). Life-Span Adjustment of Children to Their Parents' Divorce. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 143-164.
Berhrman, R. E., & Quinn, L. S. (1994). Overview and Analysis. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 4-14.
Furstenberg, Jr., F. F. (1994). History and Current Status of Divorce in the United States. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 29-43.
Kelly, J. B. (1994). The Determination of Child Custody. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 121-142.
Teachman, J. D., & Paasch, K. M. (1994). Financial Impact of Divorce on Children and Their Families. Children and Divorce, 4(1), 63-83.
