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Moira Fudge
Caroline Reynolds
English Comp. 1201
21 March 2021
Effects of Divorce on Children
As divorce rates and parental separation rises over the years, it takes a toll on many
people and things. Every year there are new marriages that fail to withstand. Although it is a
widespread issue, not only does it affect the parents, but also the children. So, just what are the
effects of divorce on the children?
One major recurring statistic shows that a child with divorced parents is affected in the
academic field. Some children show this throughout their grade cards, or longer term. However,
most show this during state sponsored testing (Anderson).
Next, one of the more obvious effects, social relationships of the children. When parents
spend most of their time trying to, at the minimum, coexist, it takes much energy and can often
lead to negativity. Many of the children do not know better, this could turn their view into a more
hostile outlook making them less likely to have many friends (Haride-Williams).
Not only does divorce affect these external environments, but it can affect the health of
the kid. These children are more likely to get sick more often and can take more time to heal. In
addition, they are more vulnerable to things such as mental health (depression, anxiety, etc.).
Cancer is also a concern that is more likely to develop (Komay).
Economic stress and struggles can also be foreseen in children whose parents divorced.
Being exposed to two separate households can take a toll on the economic knowledge and
experience these kids have (González et. al).
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A good parent-child relationship is always a want, however with divorce it is often
strained. Either from a child feeling as if it is their fault, the parents putting too much pressure on
them, or the child being upset for the uproot, it causes a big issue oftentimes (Davis et al.).
Faith and religion are also known to be lost when children’s parents are divorced. It is
sometimes left behind, the children may lose respect for what their parents instilled (Anderson).
The effects of divorce on children range anywhere from mental health, physical health,
relationships, academics, and religion. So there it is, there are some of the effects. The children
of divorced parents often take one of the hardest hits, and looking at the statistics, it is very easy
to tell.
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Works Cited
Anderson, Jane. “The impact of family structure on the health of children: Effects of
divorce.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240051/. Accessed 21
Mar. 2021.
Davis, Leviton, and Jana B. Singer. “MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON
CHILDREN THROUGH FAMILY-FOCUSED COURT REFORM.” Abell,
https://abell.org/sites/default/files/publications/hhs-divorcereform897.pdf. Accessed 21
Mar. 2021.
González, Libertad, and Tarja Viitanen. “The Long‐Term Effects of Legalizing Divorce
on Children.” Oxford Bulletin of Economics & Statistics, vol. 80, no. 2, Apr. 2018, pp.
327–357. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/obes.12200. Accessed 21 Mar. 2021.
Hardie-Williams, Kathy. “Stay Together for the Kids? When Divorce Might Benefit
Everyone.” Goodtherapy, https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/stay-together-for-kids-
when-divorce-might-benefit-everyone-0907174. 21 Mar. 2021.
Komay, Mason. “Understanding the Effects of Divorce on Children.” ReGain,
https://www.regain.us/advice/divorce/understanding-the-effects-of-divorce-on-children/.
Accessed 21 Mar. 2021.
