Divorce: The Affects It Can Have on Children

For better or for worse, divorce is a very common event these days. Most everyone has been touched by it, either by going through it themselves as a spouse or a child, or knowing someone who has gone through it as a spouse or as a child. Divorce affects children more than we can imagine. It affects them emotionally, mentally, and physically.
One of the most damaging effects of divorce on children is the emotional trauma caused by parents who fight or belittle each other in front of their children. Children feel like they are expected to take sides but cannot do this without being disloyal to the other parent. However, by not taking sides they fear disapproval and rejection by both parents. They feel like they are trapped in a no-win situation where it is "wrong" to love both parents. There is no such thing as a "good" divorce, but things go a lot smoother on the children when the parents get along. There is not as much pressure and stress put on the children. If the parents do fight it could cause a lot of damaging effects on their children.
There are several other emotional affects that a divorce can have on children. It can cause them to withdrawal from family and friends. They may even lash out with negative behavior or anger. The angry may become the child's way of dealing with obstacles. The children may feel depressed and their self-esteem may drop dramatically. They may also develop mental illness later on in life.