Early Childhood Education: The Effect of Divorce on Children, Essay Example

Abstract

Parents undergoing a process of divorce or separation are haunted by potential implications of the scenario to their children. The issues of future happiness as well as the health status of their children are the predominant issues that lingers their mind. This paper posits to critically analyze the effect of divorce on children.

Research Question

This paper attempts to answer the following questions

• What are the effects of divorce on children?
• How does divorce impact on the happiness and health status of the children
• What is the role of the parents in protecting the parents against the painful experiences associated with divorce

Introduction

For a considerable period of time, the issue of divorce has traumatized most children and resulted to negative outcomes in their lives. The greater percentages of the children from divorced relationships are left with severe psychological, academic as well as social problems (Anderson, & Anderson, 2009, 147).

Children experiencing a situation of divorce among their parents usually encounter a very difficult time of transition. The effects are particularly difficult to them because of their developmental stage, gender as well as age. Despite of the efforts of reconciliation through counseling, majority of these children usually undergoes deep suffering during the period of divorces and also thereafter. The divorce among parents creates a situation of instability and insecurity and the children experience a situation of things falling apart (Doob, 2007, 198).

The reactions of the children to impending divorce are varied. Some of the children may express sadness; others may exhibit depression signs and lack of sleep, among other effects. Their anxiety levels may rise as feelings of abandonment as well as rejection by their parents sink in them. In other situations, children become extremely lonely as a result of an extended absence of one of their parents (Denise, Paul, & Helen , 2011, 256-367).

Children develop feelings of desolation as well as desertion and they believe that they are no loner loved. They also become helpless and also powerless once they discover that there is no possibility of reunion of their parents. The life of the children as well as the one of their parents is lost resulting to a situation of grief similar to mourning of dead people. A feeling of guilt with regard to loyalty conflicts also develops among the children affected by a situation of divorce.

Divorce is therefore associated with very stressful conditions, sadness and confusion among the children. The children develop feelings of uncertainty regarding their future life. Divorce is therefore a life threatening situation and it is the duty of the parents to devise appropriate strategies that will reduce the painful effects to their children. The parents should be in a position of assisting their children in coping with the painful effects associated with divorce (Denise, Paul, & Helen , 2011, 256-367).  This is achieved through providing a condition of stability at home and also addressing the physical as well as the emotional needs of the children. The children should be reassured and be given positive attitudes through a peaceful working relationship with the partner.

Research Methodology

This section shall discuss the various methods, approaches as well as procedures which facilitate accomplishing the objectives of this research. The section shall define all aspects pertaining to the research and analysis methodologies that were employed. The research study starts with an in-depth understanding of the research aims, objectives and hypothesis which shall provide a foundation for the problem phenomenon. Success of this research is subject to provision of relevant information in accordance with the objectives underlying the research problem.

The initial phase of any research study requires familiarization with the research problem and corresponding phenomenon. This then gives rise to the problem of deciding on the best strategy and design to employ in answering the research questions (Denise, Paul, & Helen , 2011, 256-367).

With respect to the current research, appropriate procedures and methodologies will be applied to ensure that all the above objectives are achieved.

Secondary research has been preferred as the best approach in this research in which case it deals with the collection and use of existing data. For instance, it may involve use of researches on experiments or specific subjects which have been studied by other researchers. The main advantage of secondary research is that it is not as time consuming as primary research. However, information obtained through secondary sources may not be accurate as to meet the objectives of a particular research study. Regarding the current research study, the main sources of secondary data are;

1. Previous researches papers on the subjects
2. Relevant journals and books especially those touching on effect of divorce on children. Life span development by Denise Boyed, Paul Johnson, & Helen Bee, 4^th Canadian Edition has been found to be particularly useful for this research.
3. Relevant internet sources
4. Other related family life materials as the researcher finds appropriate to use.

Research Validity and Reliability

The current research is very phenomenological in nature and all research questions are related to the core characteristics of the research phenomenon as discussed in the literature review. The process of data collection and subsequent analysis shall therefore be accurate so as to ensure that highest levels of validity are realized. It is however important to note that there are several aspects of research validity which influence reliability of research.

Limitations

Limitations are usually present in every research and these limitations actually tarnish the results of the research. Certain limitations are also associated with this research. One of the biggest limitations of this research is lack of budget and lack of time. certain chunks or sources of secondary research also contribute to the limitation of the research. This is because of the fact that these sources are not valid or they are not updated therefore the data that is attained from these sources might affect the entire results of the research. Therefore, the researcher should take utmost care about all these constraints and try to minimize it.

Findings

Research has shown that most of the children indicated a variety of behavioral changes allied to the traumatic effects arising from cases of divorce. Most of the children experienced sleeping difficulties; others developed harmful habits such as drug abuse, acts of violence and suicide. Cases of regressive patterns of behavior were also documented among some of the children including bed wetting, school problems, and nervous habits and displaying of fears. A significant number of the children expressed the need of taking due care of their separating parents who also experienced a condition of emotional disturbance (Walczak, 2005, 156).

Common misunderstanding is associated with the natural pliability associated with the children in addition to their potential capability of coping with the situation of divorce with insignificant implications to their future life. Majority of the children are in need of supportive individuals as well as systems to facilitate coping with the situation of transition that is associated with divorce.

Recommendations and Conclusion

Parents should know how to best explain the situation to the children because the trend of coping among the children is greatly influenced by this approach. Divorce bears significantly huge impacts to the children as the parents are involved in fighting with the aim of deriving the maximum they can out of such scenario. In the process, the care needed by the children is always insufficient.

However, for some children the situation is different and they are able to cope with the painful episode. This category of children only requires some time to pull out of the negative effects and take care of their future lives. They learn from the mistakes of their parents and they perform better as compared to their parents in their lives.

Divorce is a cause of negative effects that affect the children on a ling term and the starting point of the entire process is long before the actual divorce occurs. Majority of divorce cases take significantly long period of time before they are finalized. During this time, a series of fights as well as conflicts are a common characteristic in these homes. Parents fail to offer sufficient protection to the children as a result and it is prudent for the parents to try to minimize these effects to the children. The arising conflicts usually impacts on the children in a negative way.

Works Cited

Anderson, H.W., & Anderson, G.S. Mom and dad are divorced but I’m not: Parenting after divorce. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 2009.

Denise Boyd, Paul Johnson, & Helen L. Bee. Lifespan Development, 4^th  Canadian Ed. Pearson Education Canada; 2011.

Doob, C.B. Social Problems. Philadelphia: Harcourt Brace, 2007.

Walczak, Y.  Divorce: The child’s point of view. London: Harper & Row, 2005.