Divorce and its effects on the development of children

More than likely, children are not part of the decision making when it comes to divorce. They are the innocent bystanders of divorce that have no choice but to become an integral part of an adult issue. There are no rules books with specific directions to depend on when it comes to children understanding the separation of their parents. Children of divorce need resources, guidance, and more than ever, commitment and consistency from significant people in their lives. Divorce has no boundaries and carries no prejudice. Divorce effects all ages, ethnicities, races, gender, and socio-economic levels. In the earlier part of the 20th century, the nuclear family could be defined as father, mother, and children, all biological of course. The 21st century has produced a much more complex family structure that encompasses anything from single parent households to step-families. Researchers have been studying these dynamic changes for generations attempting to understand the effects on children. Over the last several years, researchers have found that the factors involved in the pre and post divorce relationship are just as detrimental to the children as the divorce itself. This paper will attempt to educate its readers on the wide spectrum of factors affecting children involved in divorce. Historical statistics will be highlighted along with implications to children at different developmental milestones