PSC 220 Divorce and Education

PSC 220 Divorce and Education Research Paper

Effects of Divorce on Children
Olivia A. Rossbach
Chesapeake College

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Abstract

For adults divorce is a remedy, it ends one chapter and opens another, however for children it is not a
remedy, it is a loss of family (Tambwe, 2013). Too often divorce has a negative effect on the way
children develop socially, emotionally and academically, all of which are related. The loss of contact with
friends due to a decrease in income and children of divorce spending more time in childcare settings
under the supervision of others causes parents to be unable to provide the social stimulation that is
necessary for child development. These losses affect children emotionally causing them to become sad,
depressed and even angry. Emotionally, aggressive or depressed children that have disciplinary
problems in school tend to focus less on schoolwork which will result in lower grades and less
motivation. A domino effect of negative emotional, social and academic development is becoming more
and more common in todays society as a result of divorce.

PSC 220 Divorce and Education

A family is the childrens first place of contact with the world and therefore children develop
certain education and social norms from the parents in that family (Alika & Edosa, 2012). However, not
all children are fortunate enough to have both parents in the home because of a divorce and as a result
will have noticeable differences from children living in homes with two parents that are married.
Research shows that two out of five divorces involve children (Raynish, 2007). Imagine your parents
come to you and say theyre splitting up and that one is going to leave. You may lose friendships, change
schools, or not see side of the family as much as you used to. Mom or Dad may start dating, and you
grow up and deal with the losses (Marquardt, 2005). For adults divorce is a remedy, it ends one chapter
and opens another, however for children it is not a remedy, it is a loss of family (Tambwe, 2013). Too
often divorce has a negative effect on the way children develop socially, emotionally and academically,
all of which are related.
Social Development
Divorce can have an important impact on the way children develop socially not only at home but
at school. Most children of divorce live primarily with the mother and hence live with a lower family
income which can have an effect on childrens social development (Portnoy, 2008). Research shows that
women who experienced divorce also experienced a 29.3 percent drop in income (Raynish, 2007). As a
result, the children have to relocate and grow up in a poorer neighborhood or attend a different school
which will therefore cause the child to lose contact with close friends (Raynish, 2007). In addition to the
loss of contact with friends due to a decrease in income, the mother is forced to work more leaving the
children of divorce with more time spent in childcare settings. With less time spent under the
supervision of parents and more time spent in under the supervision of others, parents are unable to
provide the social stimulation that is necessary for child development (Portnoy, 2008). This change can
result in poor social performance by the child in school; for example, conduct disorders, antisocial

PSC 220 Divorce and Education

behaviors, and difficulty with authority (Portnoy, 2008). Younger children are more attached to their
homes than older children, therefore moving can have a great impact on the way children externalize
and internalize their feelings, resulting in behavioral problems (Raynish, 2007). Furthermore, socially,
children may have a hard time trying to ignore the playground whispers about his parent's divorce. Just
as children whisper about the parents they may whisper about the childs economic position, for
instance having less newer clothes and shoes than children of married parent homes. Research found
that children may be affected 3 different ways socially after a divorce. First, children may be what is
called, Competent Opportunist meaning children get along well with others however, they are
manipulative and switch friends when they appear to be less useful (Portnoy, 2008). Secondly, children
may be, Competent Caring when the children, mostly female, seek out friends whom they can help in
some way. Lastly, children may be Competent at a cost where they dont believe they are able to meet
challenges and set very high standards for themselves (Portnoy, 2008). In addition, children of divorce
with a lower income have less involvement in extracurricular activities or tutoring lessons (Raynish,
2007). With less social stimulation and support from the parent children experience less motivation not
only in school but also to succeed socially. Emotionally feeling depressed because of a divorce, children
will be less interested in socializing with their peers and participating in class which can also have an
effect academically. Just as increased absences are normally a result for children of divorce, this can not
only affect them academically but socially as well because that produces fewer opportunities for
children to interact with classmates and grow socially. Children of divorce also experience a lack of
emotional development as well.
Emotional Development
The loss of contact with friends and becoming the new kid at a different school as a result of
divorce can directly impact children emotionally as well as socially. When experiencing a break up of

PSC 220 Divorce and Education

family because of divorce, children are affected immediately and forced to deal with all these new
emotions. For some children, this loss can be equal to that of a loved one dying, and can be a very
painful and traumatic process (Branch & Brinson, 2007). Consequently, children of divorce display higher
levels of depression, anxiety and lower self-esteem (Portnoy, 2008). Insecurities are developed from
anger that the childs normal every day routine has been changed forever (Branch & Brinson, 2007).
Judith Wallerstein, a family researcher and author, studied the negative effects of divorce on children.
She took children ages 3 to 16 and found that children become more angry even a year after their
parents divorce because their greatest fear, the fear of abandonment, has come true (Tambwe, 2013).
For example, she interviewed a little girl who told her how she sat outside the locked bathroom door
where her mother inside studying for a test, because that was her only peace and quiet (Tambwe,
2013). The little girls dad had completely left the family and the mothers attention was consumed by
work and school, as the little girls said to Judith, I need a new mommy (Tambwe, 2013). The mother
and father are unable to give the same amount of attention to the child as they did before the divorce,
leaving the child to feel alone. These feelings can not only describe the childs feelings about themselves
but also the divorce itself. Regarding the mental effects divorce has on children, it was found that over
three quarters of children interviewed did not wish their parents were still together, believing their
parents were better off now (Branch & Brinson, 2007). After a divorce, children may lose necessary
support, as they may see grandparents, coaches or extended family members less frequently. These
losses affect children emotionally causing them to become sad, depressed and even angry. Research
found that boys are more likely to be aggressive and have disciplinary problems in school with peers and
teachers (Raynish, 2007). In addition, girls were found to be more depressed as a result of divorce
(Raynish, 2007). Children of divorce are affected emotionally by having to grow up before they should
and deal with sadness and loss that other children their age do not understand. Elizabeth Marquardt,
from the Institute of American Values says from experience that while her father lived hours away and

PSC 220 Divorce and Education

her mother was always stressed, she decided no one else was to blame but herself (Marquardt, 2005).
Children internalize these issues and hide their feelings so that the parents dont see them as added
stress, reversing the role of family, and creating the idea that children are the protectors of parents
(Branch & Brinson, 2007). Emotionally, children from divorced homes are more likely to have higher
levels of anxiety, guilt, confusion, loyalty conflicts between parents as well as a yearning for the parent
that no longer lives in the home (Branch & Brinson, 2007). Emotionally, children may be whiney, tearful,
and fretful due to a separation from a parent, and this "anxious" behavior may continue off and on for
days or even for weeks (Branch & Brinson, 2007). Academically, this will affect the children in school
because they will be distracted and less motivated to do their schoolwork.
Academic Development
A new school, less income and fewer resources can not only affect children socially and
emotionally, but academically as well. Emotionally, aggressive or depressed children that have
disciplinary problems in school tend to focus less on schoolwork which will result in lower grades and
less motivation. Research showed that children of divorced single parent homes have a reported lower
grade point average than that of children in families where the parents are married (Branch & Brinson,
2007). Children who spend more time in childcare settings because their parent is working more as a
result of divorce have been found to watch more TV and have less supervision over homework which
can have an impact on their academic development (Branch & Brinson, 2007). These problems relate to
childrens emotional and social behaviors because children with no self-control and who blame
themselves for the divorce have an increased risk of difficulties in school (Connolly & Green, 2009). A
survey of elementary students nationwide found that children from divorced homes performed poorly
in reading, spelling and math perhaps because children of divorce have been found to have increased
absences (Raynish, 2007). Children experiencing a divorce in their family have a harder time achieving

PSC 220 Divorce and Education

academic success because emotionally they have a harder time concentrating on school. Academically,
teachers have seen that children of divorced homes experience more anxiety towards academic success,
and inability to pay attention in class, behaviors that will interfere with the childs learning (Branch &
Brinson, 2007). Elementary school counselors, teachers and caretakers support evidence saying that
divorce has direct effects on childrens emotional, social and academic behavior (Branch & Brinson,
2007). Children of divorce have been found to internalize and externalize their emotions, doubling the
risk of behavior problems (Branch & Brinson, 2007). Noncompliance, disobedience, inappropriate
classroom conduct and other disorders can develop as a result (Branch & Brinson, 2007). A study of 2nd
and 3rd graders showed that they were more likely to have school adjustment issues (Branch & Brinson,
2007). Furthermore, studies found that lower economic conditions result in an inability to comprehend
teachers lessons, perhaps because of a single parents struggle to send children to costly schools and
supply children with the necessary supplies (Alika & Edosa, 2012).
As divorce is becoming more and more common in todays society, children are experiencing a
domino effect emotionally, socially and academically from the aftermath a broken home. As parents are
beginning to work more often as a result of divorce, children are being left in the care of others more
often, with less supervision and support causing difficulties in the way children socially interact with
friends, as well as emotional development problems for example depression and ultimately these will
affect children in school because they will be less focused and motivated.

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References

Alika, H., & Edosa, O. (2012). Relationship between Broken Homes and Academic Achievement of
Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. College
Student Journal, 46(2), 256-263
Branch, M., & Brinson, S. A. (2007). Gone but Not Forgotten: Children's Experiences with Attachment,
Separation, and Loss. Reclaiming Children And Youth: The Journal Of Strength-Based
Interventions, 16(3), 41-45.
Connolly, M. E., & Green, E. J. (2009). Evidence-Based Counseling Interventions with Children of
Divorce: Implications for Elementary School Counselors. Journal of School Counseling, 7(26),
1-37.
Marquardt, E. (2005). The Bad Divorce. First Things: A Monthly Journal Of Religion & Public Life, (150),
24-27.
Portnoy, S. M. (2008). The Psychology of Divorce: A Lawyer's Primer, Part 2: The Effects of Divorce on
Children. American Journal Of Family Law, 21(4), 126-134
Raynish, A. (2007, December 15). The Price of Divorce. Online Submission
Tambwe, Anthony (2013, August 5). Understand the Debilitating Effects of Divorce On Children. Africa
News Service