Aside from litigation and negotiations, divorce presents specific challenges to families, such as its negative impact on the children. Unfortunately, they usually experience the most stress during and after the process.
Children tend to exhibit behavioral and emotional issues when their parents decide to divorce. They have no choice but to keep up with the sudden changes, leading to severe reactions based on age.
Teenagers undergo these radical shifts despite being mature enough to understand the situation better than younger kids. They often have the following tendencies to cope with the divorce:
- Inability to accept the circumstances
- Taking on adult roles
- Aggressive or rebellious behavior
- Substance abuse, including alcohol
- Risky activities
- Declining performance in school
- Severe depression
Unfortunately, emotions run extremely high in teens, making them prone to committing actions that put them in danger.
Additional factors that could affect teens
Aside from the divorce, other related elements could worsen the situation for teens, such as the lack of parental involvement and a functioning co-parenting relationship between parties.
Insufficient financial resources and poverty could also add to their stress, adversely impacting teens. Other factors, such as severe family conflicts or domestic abuse, might push them off the rails, risking their welfare and health. Parents may need professional intervention for their kids if their divorce involves these factors.
State laws usually have divorce requirements for parental education regarding the effects of separation and the divorce process. This condition is in place to help educate parents so they can manage their expectations and children better. However, these educational programs are not substitutes for qualified family services and support.
Additionally, the court places legal protection on children of divorcing parents. The court could examine the situation and enforce orders to prioritize the children’s welfare regardless of age.