The impact of divorce is mediated by many factors. Using information from the textbook and scholarly journal articles, discuss this issue addressing the following questions:
How is the experience of divorce-related to the child's age at the time of the divorce?
What about the age of the parents?
How are the effects of divorce the same and different for male versus female children and parents?
How does culture come into play? What about historical factors (e.g., the effects of divorce now versus 10 years ago, versus 30 years ago)?
Complete the following readings from the textbook, Life-span Human Development:
Sample Solution
The experience of divorce can vary greatly depending on the age of the child at the time of the divorce. Young children may not fully understand what is happening and may perceive it as a form of abandonment. They may also struggle with feelings of insecurity, guilt, and sadness due to changes in their family structure. Older children may be more aware of what is going on and are likely to feel more anger or resentment towards their parents for breaking up the family. In either case, it is important for both parents to remain involved in their children’s lives throughout and after a divorce to ensure that they receive proper emotional support during this difficult time.