Deterioration of the Nuclear Family

Parental divorce can result in devastating effects on children. These children suffer tremendous long-term consequences as a result of an event that is not their doing. This paper reviews literature and opinions concerning the long-term effects of divorce on adolescents. The paper outlines four major areas of interest: aggression as a result of parental conflict and the different types associated with boys and girls, depression in the lives of boys and girls in its various forms, the choice boys and girls make to marry or not later in life and the possibility of adolescents expressing parental alienation. The results of this

As we stated earlier, age is not a safeguard to the effects of divorce (Oppawsky 2). While adults may be more able to understand their feelings and seek the support they need, they are still subjected to the emotional and mental consequences of their parents’ divorce. In Wallerstein and Lewis’ study on the “Legacy of Divorce” many of the adult children recalled their own feelings of shock and unhappiness at the time of the separation and it’s aftermath. Almost all remembered feelings of loneliness, bewilderment, and anger at their parents. Many cried as they recounted their history and their childhood fears that would be forgotten by their preoccupied parents. Some even claimed that their childhood ended when their parents separated. When these children reached young adulthood and when love, sexual intimacy, commitment, and marriage took center stage, many of them were haunted by the ghosts of their parents’ divorce and were frightened that the same fate awaited them. They feared their own commitment (Wallerstein and Lewis 359-360). In fact, children of divorced homes are more likely to experience marital instability and a slight elevation in their own divorce rates. Many of the parental divorced children also found that their parent’s actions were actually causing problems amongst their own children. They often felt lost

and their world. He or she may be uprooted to a new school, city or

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a family is "a group of two or more people who reside together and who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption.” (Eutk). In the beginning, family was considered to be all of the individuals who contributed to the household as far as bringing in money; including servants and non-parental adults, who are also considered part of the family if they play a large role in the upbringing or care-taking of children other than their own. But in fact, over the last few centuries until present day, the institution of the family has completely changed. In the late-18th Century, marriage was considered just a union based on love, but as time passed, there were other financial, social, and political shifts in the

A family is a group of people that are interlinked through blood, the law (marriage), co-residence or share the same resources. They are further described as adults of the same sex with children. Through

Divorce causes many problems for children and has many implications. Psychological implications include mental health problems and behavioral problems. Social roles are turned inside out and upside down. Children are often pulled in many directions. In the United States divorce is very common and often leaves children confused and without options. Many turn toward violence, crime, drugs, and isolation. Studies show how adults can reduce the tension for these children. Other

However, this is not the reality of our times. McConville (2013) states 41-50% of first marriages end in divorce in the United States. The affect the divorce has on the child is dictated by how the parents maneuver through the transition. Potter (2010) states that elementary and high school students both display poorer psychosocial well-being versus children from non-divorced families (pg. 933). Adolescents face many struggles and challenges throughout this developmental stage. Being a child of divorced parents can heighten stress and anxiety leading to depressive symptoms. To avoid and or decrease this instance, adolescents affected by divorce can benefit heavily through group counseling with others facing identical

     Divorce is a family crisis, which could require a long period for recovery. Along with the turmoil associated with the adolescent stage of life, divorce adds other

The nuclear families are considered to be families of orientation and procreation (Knox & Schacht, 2013, p. 11) . Since I do not have a family of my own yet, my nuclear family would consist of : my mother, step dad, half brother, and half sister for about twelve years in my life. My family started out as a single parent family and then turned into a binuclear family/blended family twice in my life. A binuclear or blended family consists of divorced parents living in different houses with different spouses and possibly children (Knox & Schacht, 2013, p. 12). I am the oldest out of five children and all of my siblings are half siblings, but I have grown up with them and consider would consider them full siblings. My extended family members have

In the last two decades divorce has increased substantially leaving couples single and families broken. Divorce is the reality for many families as there is an increase in divorce rates, cohabitation rates, and the number of children raised in step and single marital families. Divorce cannot be overlooked as it negatively affects and impacts youngsters for the rest of their lives. Although it is the decision between two parents’s children are hurt the most in the process. The concept of divorce is extremely difficult for children to understand as there are many unanswered questions and uncertainties. “Will my mom or dad remarry and who will I live with?” are concerns children express while going through divorce. Many

For the last two decades, divorce has become ever more prelivant in society. Studies conclude that less than one-third of all marriages end in divorce. The effects of divorce can be very devastating, especially when children are involved. Everyone who has ever listened to the news has heard the dismal statistics of adolescents coming from broken homes. The statistics showing the effects of a fatherless household includes:

of marriages end in divorce. Given this startling figure, the presumption can be made that many children will experience some effects caused by the life-changing event called divorce. What is it exactly about divorce that causes negative consequences for these children? In what ways will these children be affected? Will these effects show outwardly? The unsettling fact is: young children of divorced parents face great psychological challenges due to the environmental conditions and changes associated with divorce (Wolchik and Karoly 45). When we pass the year 2000, we will see two groups of working age adults emerging. One

In this 21st century the family concept is continuiously changing dynamic, there can be two males or two females as parents. Parents that are going through divorce or an increase in marital dissolution are often concerned about the effect that it will have on their children. They wonder if they are sacrificing their childrens health and happiness for their own selfish needs. Majority of scholarly studies, have found adverse results for the affects of divorce on children’s development. However the traditional sequence of research lean towards the negative consequences; showing that compared to children with continuously married biological parents, children with divorced parents are disadvantaged regarding various life outcomes, including likelihood of dropping out of high school, cognitive skills, psychosocial well-being, and social relations. …finds that more than half of all divorces involving children under the age of 18. This high rate of marital disruption, combined with an increase in births outside marriage, means that about half of all children will reside at least temporarily in single-parent households. however, even even with this decline in the social stigma attached to divorce; the negative consequences are yet to significantly lessen. Never the less, recent research has found that for adults as well as children, the end of a

The easy going life each individual lives today gives them no tolerance to face their problems. Married couples have many arguments regarding finance, time management, etc. and when one cannot cope with all the problems they decide to divorce. According to the researcher Maggie Gallagher, “Eighty percent of U.S. divorces are unilateral, rather than truly mutual decisions,” (Medved A.9). Couples with children often lack to think about the psychological effect it will have on their children due to their divorce. The effect of divorce on children

Divorce is a plague that is destroying numerous families across the United States of America. Sadly, when husbands and wives divorce, the children are often caught directly in the middle. Throughout the years divorce has been becoming more and more common. In the 1920's it was a rare find to know a person whom had been divorced, today it is a rarity not to know of one who has been, or will be divorced. Divorce has numerous effects on the structures of families, and many devastating effects on the children that must experience it, although sometimes necessary, divorce radically changes the lives of adolescents and adults alike.