Divorce can have both a negative and a positive impact on children that are a part of the family dynamic that is facing divorce. Yet, even with the amount of studies and statistics world wide concerning divorce and children, not all of the facts are present. Unfortunately, the studies that have been done include both sides of the issue and neither can claim full victory on understanding the impression left on the children of the family either dealing with divorce or has a divorce present during their childhood. What are at least two opinions presented by each side of the critical issue?
One side, of opinions, on children that come from a divorce home is that of a negative impression. “The consequences of divorce are not only limited to the confines of the family unit itself. ” (n. a. , 2009).
In future relationships a child that comes from a family unit that has dealt with divorce can express the negative impact by having bad relationships themselves and even developing health problems, such a cancer, asthma, and substance abuse later in life. The other side of this issue is, of course, the positive influences divorce can have, such as growth as a person.
What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? “Divorce is not necessarily detrimental to all children but can, in fact, provide opportunities for growth for the children as well as the parents involved in the divorce. ” ((Hetherington & John, 2007)).
The opportunity to grow, both as a person and as a future partner in a relationship, is a positive side of the impact of divorce on children. “In a home where there was turmoil, fear, tears and sadness with arguing and yelling, happy is life without those actual feelings.
” (Colt, 2009).
A weakness with this is the idea that these children have seen such an imbalance in personal relationships of adults, the calm that they exhibit can also come from fear. Without proper therapy is it nearly impossible to trace the true feelings a child has about a divorce situation in their childhood. Again, even though the child may show signs of happiness, it is important to seek professional help to find any underlining issues of such an impact for the future of the child and those adults they have personal relationships with in their lives.
What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? A strength of the con side is that the studies done on this subject are numerous. They give a clear picture, although it be a negative one, of the problems associated with dealing with divorce in the family unit as a part of childhood. These impacts lead to a greater understanding of the effects divorce has on a child as they grow into adults and engage in their own personal relationships.
A weakness of this argument can be found in the sampling used to collect the data for these reports. Since it is impossible to collect enough data to make the claim that the data represents all children involved in divorce, is both unreliable and false. Generalizing all children from a divorce experience as children, can be, and in some cases, should be viewed with criticism. How credible were the authors of each argument? Explain your answer. The authors that present data on this topic are only as credible as the reader allows.
For example, if an adult that comes from a divorce situation in their childhood claims to never have problems in their own relationships, yet, have two, maybe even three, divorces in their adult life, would be bad data collection and interpretation of those claims non-reliable and false. Still, a child the comes from a divorce situation that grows to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each relationship they choose to involve themselves in, can be seen as both a fear and as growth.
Each author brings more data to the table for viewing and the whole picture is not yet visible to the reader. With this in mind, the author of this paper does not find credit with any author listed here, but, instead, sees all points as a separate position on the same topic. One is not more important or more credible than another, only different. Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with? Why? With that in mind, the majority of research supports the ideas that focus on the negative impacts of divorce.
These reports seem to outweigh the the number of positive impacts by far. Although the number are constantly changing with each new issue of psychology journals being published on this subject, they overall view on this topic is that no one researcher has located the exact answer to how divorce impacts a child as they grow into adulthood. “Children of divorce experience more than a singular trauma as the result of divorce. ” ((Hetherington & John, 2007)).
This is the only truth in the reports so far, be it positive or negative, is does influence.
This subject is not yet closed, and in fact, needs more studies done. What side of this critical issue does contemporary research support? Most research supports the idea that divorce is detrimental to the child, when the child does not attend any therapy or psychological evaluations administered by a licensed professional. This is in direct conflict with what parents and children say about the home environment the child is living in while the family unit changes from a two parent home to a one parent home.
Some children that grow into adulthood do have relationship problems of their own, yet those same adults do not seek professional advice to confront and solve those issues that may or may not have been created in the home while the divorce was occurring or the events that were leading to the divorce where not addressed for the child. It is difficult to say, with any certainty, that a child that comes from a divorce situation in their youth, will “grow” from the experience to have a solid relationship as an adult.
It is also important to mention that the research continues even at the time of this paper. These studies are a crucial part of finding an answer to this question, and those answers seem to vary with each research project that is set forth. It is commonly known and excepted that the more data collection that takes place, the more likely the answers will hold a great deal more validity than in previous years. The research is far from over and it is also far from showing signs of being complete. References n. a.
(2009).
writing. com. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from Divorce a Detrimental Social Phenomenon Web site: http://www. writing. com/main/view_item/item_id/1224900 Colt, Donna (2009).
Helium. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from What are the positive effects of divorce with children Web site: http://www. helium. com/items/397727-testimonies-what-are-the- positive-effects-of-divorce-with-children Hetherington , E. M. , & Kelly, John (2007).
Is Divorce Always Detrimental to Children?. Abnormal Psychology, 4th ed. , 16,