The Impact of Divorce on Children

Watch on YouTube video shorts: https://youtube.com/shorts/E_-X7KgAcqY

Often when people talk about divorce, they focus on the two parties that are involved, the adults that are involved in the divorce proceedings or case, the battle that goes on, the stress and the trauma that goes on. Psychologically, they get impacted mentally, physically, financially, and it changes the family dynamics.

What gets forgotten in most cases during this process is the children, the impact of divorce on children. Children can have severe emotional distress. So divorce can have a significant impact on children, both emotionally and psychologically.

Though children may experience distress and anxiety during the divorce process, some may actually recover faster than others. It is important for parents to be aware of the potential psychological effects that divorce may place upon the children and try and come up with steps to mitigate the harm. Researchers found that kids tend to struggle the most during the first year or two years after the divorce.”

“But many are able to adjust and adapt to the change in their lives. However, a small percentage of children may experience ongoing problems after their parents have gone through divorce.

So what is the impact of the divorce process on the children ?

Divorce can be particularly frightening and confusing for young children. It creates fear, anxiety, and some may struggle to understand why their parents no longer love each other, no longer want to be together. And younger children may actually blame themselves for the divorce, thinking that maybe they contributed to their parents fighting and stopping to love each other.

For teenagers, however, they may feel very angry and resentful to either one of the parents or to both the parents, feeling that the parents have failed them. The emotional turmoil of divorce can also affect the parent-child bond, the parent-child relationship, how they now relate with each other. With children often feeling less close to their fathers in most cases, or to one particular parent that they may feel has contributed to the marriage falling apart and blaming them for breaking the family setup.”

“When they experience the changes in the relationship with a custodial parent, for example, usually for younger children is a mother that get to be given custody. So, divorce can also lead to financial hardships. The children that used to be well provided for, that always had everything provided for them, may realize the parent that they're living with now is actually struggling to care for them or to provide for them.

Changes that the family goes through

The divorce modifies the family dynamics and increases the risk of mental health problems in children and in adolescents. You have to note, however, that not all children of divorced parents experience these negative effects.

Many are able to adapt and thrive with the right support and resources. But it's important that you note this. The key takeaways in this divorce process for children, where children are concerned is that divorce can have a significant emotional, and psychological impact on children.

Children may experience distress, anxiety, fear, resentment, anger, regarding the divorce process and to us, the parents. And young children may struggle to understand why their parents no longer love each other, and may blame themselves for that, or they may even “start thinking if their parents could stop loving each other, they may stop loving them in the future as well. And teenagers may feel angry and resentful to their parents, which often may manifest in adverse behavior, misconduct or indulging substances in drugs, drinking, emotional outbursts, aggression, and violence.

For some, it may also contribute to a decline in academic performance. Please note, when you are going through the divorce, do not keep it a secret from the children. Depending on their level of understanding and their age, learn how you can communicate with them in a way that does not paint either one of the parents as the enemy and painting yourself to be the good one.”

To listen to the audio visit our New Beginnings CounsellingBW podcast by clicking the link below : THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE ON CHILDREN - PART 1, 17 August 2025

https://podcasts.apple.com/bw/podcast/new-beginnings-counsellingbw/id1798959087?i=1000722317656&r=330

This material is protected by copyright.