Arguably, the society is full of social issues. The peace and stability of individual, family and the entire community is doubted. Social issues entail matters which indirectly or directly affect individual as well as many members of a certain community. Actually, they are considered to be controversies and problems that relate to moral ethics. Some of the social issues include divorce, rape, crime, corruption just but to mention. Therefore, many scholars have different arguments on diverse social issue (Howard & Rita, 2003).
As a matter of fact, media coverage on divorce frequently gives the notion that divorce has become a major social issue in the society. In the course of marriage, the couples may divorce due to different reasons and terminate the marriage legally (Salcedo, 1999). Debatably, break up affects the parties in diverse degrees. Actually, divorce is regrettable event to all members of the family especially children. Sociologists assert that are most parents get concern on their children on the divorce (Linda, Knox & Schacht, 2010).
According to Debord (1997) effects of divorce on children depends on gender, age and personality. Infants in most cases do not understand conflict, but their reactions are based on their parents’ moods.
According to Alison and Cornelia (2007), family disintegration and divorce are caused by numerous factors. These factors include economic, social, immorality and psychological problems. Therefore, divorce leads to development of other social issues in society.
Actually, teens develop fear, quilt, depression, stress, loneliness and fear. In fact; most of the children develop a sense of taking responsibilities for family activities. They get stress in trying to take control of the family. In the long-run, the children will develop a negative attitude towards marriage (Newman & Barbara, 2006).
The self-esteem and confidence of the children is completely eroded. Children, with their innocence believe that they caused the divorce of their parents. Hence these affect them psychologically (Emery, 2006). Each member of the family develops a sense of worthlessness and rejected.
Everet (2002) asserts that, history of divorce in family causes the marital unsteadiness and insecurity in families. Offspring of divorced parents are vulnerable to divorce more than are the kids from intact families. Most likely, it is more conventional that an adult teen from a separated family will divorce. The insecurity experienced by due to divorce is likely to be seen in the children when they get married (Newman & Barbara, 2006).
Behman (1994) says that divorce triggers conflict of loyalty in the family. In most situations, if the divorce is full of commotion, the children will be obligated to choose either side of the mother or father. According to Alison (2007), this can be very traumatic for the children, especially, situations that the children love the father and mother equally. It becomes more difficult when the spouses develop act of revenge. This will cause more harm and stress to kids than any other issue (Chiriboga & Catron, 2001).
Salcido (1999) believes that, after the divorce, all the parties involved in marriage experience tremendous decrease in the level of excitement and happiness. Additionally, Linda asserts that a peaceful divorce have very limited impact on the children. The external factors will affect the children in future, such factors include visiting rights, and how the children were attached to parents as well as the entire environment in which the children were brought up (Amato, 2004).
Certainly, divorce is a social issue that either affects the society indirectly and directly. Children from divorced families face a lot of challenges in the society (Butler, 2001). Divorce, is a road map to other social issues in society. Children require support system, which will help them cope with children problems caused by divorce. Additionally, parents as well as the entire society should be ready to guide the children and help them emotionally (Linda, Knox & Schacht, 2010).
References
Amato, R. (2004). “The consequences of Divorce for Adults and Children”. Journal of Marriage And Family. Wiley. Vol 62, issue 4, pp 1269-1287.
Alison, C & Cornelia, B. (2007). Divorce: Causes and consequences. California: Public Press
Behrman, R & Qinn, L. (1994). Children and Divorce. New York: Packyard Press
Butler, I. (2001). Divorcing Children: Children’s Experience of their Parents’ Divorce. New York: John Wiley & Sons
Chiriboga, A & Catron, C. (2001). Divorce: Crisis, Challenge, or Relief. New York: New York Press
Emery, R. (2006). The Truth about Children and Violence. London: Penguin
Debora, K. (1997). Effects of Divorce on Children. North Carolina: Carolina Press
Everet, C. (2002). The Consequences of Divorce: On Children and Adults. London: Hawor Press.
Newman, R & Barbara, M. (2006). Development through Life: A Psychological Approach. New York: Wadsworth
Howard, A & Rita, J. (2003). Global Perspective on Social Issues: Marriage and Divorce. Oxford: Oxford Press
Linda, M., Knox, D & Schacht, C. (2010). Understanding Social Problems. London: Wadsworth
Rapoport, Y. (2005). Marriage, Money and Divorce. Cambridge: Cambridge Press
Salcedo, L. (1999). Social Issues. Quezon: Katha Press
