Verified Document

How Divorce Affect Young Children And Teenagers For A Sociology Class Term Paper

¶ … Divorce Affects Children and Teenagers This paper presents a discussion about how divorce affects children and teenagers. The writer takes a sociological path in exploring the long-term affects on the individuals and then how that related to society. There were five sources used to complete this paper.

During the last four decades the divorce rate began to climb not only in America but also across the globe. As families began to live in separate houses researchers took on the task of studying the affects of the divorce on children and teenagers (Dunn, 1999). Now, four decades later the results are in and the experts agree divorce has an undeniable negative impact on children and teenagers. This is not to say the negative impact cannot be counterbalanced but it must be recognized as a given for groups of people affected by divorce if the world wants to correct the affects from a sociological point-of-view (Dunn, 1999).

Studies have concluded that children and teenagers of divorce are more likely to suffer from mental health problems when they reach adulthood. One recent study used hundreds adults with known mental health issues whose parents had divorced before they were 17 years old. It is interesting to note the children whose parent had died were also studied and the negative impact was greater on the children of divorce than the children who lost a parent to death.

The patients in the study suffered from clinical depression, manic depression or schizophrenia. They were compared with others who never suffered psychological disorders. The two groups were matched exactly by age, sex, education and ethnic background (Dunn, 1999). "

If the children and teens of divorce are more likely to suffer from serious mental health issues as adults this does affect society in a negative manner. Those who have severe mental illness sometimes cannot function on a job; therefore need to collect disability benefits. There are problems for those who do work and function in society when they have a mental illness as well. The inability to be a team player or get along with others can have grave consequences in personal relationships, which can lead to a generational cycle of divorce and generations of children and teens at high risk for mental health issues as adults.
Studies further indicate that teens of divorced families often have a harder time adjusting to and enduring the already difficult teen years. Teens have a higher rate of smoking, getting divorce themselves as adults and trouble with the law if they come from a home of divorced parents. (Divorce 1996) Approximately 700,000 couples with children divorce each year in the United States. This growing number will have an impact on society, as the children of these divorces become adults themselves (Thomas, 1998).

They are a social problem with significant societal costs. More than one in two marriages in the United States now end in divorce - the highest rate in the world. And a majority of these divorces - about 60% - are among couples with children. For years while the divorce rate was skyrocketing, social scientists argued that children were largely unaffected by divorce (Thomas, 1998). Many even argued that children were better off being raised by a single parent than…

Sources used in this document:
References

Karen Thomas, On the Adolescent Hot Line: The sensitive issues Parents' divorce can compound the tough teen years., USA Today, 10-12-1998, pp 04D.

Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem), Study: Children Affected by Divorce., Israel Faxx, 02-11-1999.

Author not available, CHILDREN DO SUFFER MOST FROM A DIVORCE., USA Today, 01-22-1996.

Wheaton, Blair. 1990. "Life Transitions, Role Histories, and Mental Health." American Sociological Review 55:209-23.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Sociological Theories Sociology of Gender
Words: 1087 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Sociology and Feminist Theories on Gender Studies Postmodern Feminism in "Cherrie Moraga and Chicana Lesbianism" In the article entitled, "Cherrie Moraga and Chicana Lesbianism," author Tomas Almaguer analyzes and studies the dynamics behind Moraga's feminist reading of the Chicano culture and society that she originated from. In the article, Almaguer focuses on three elements that influenced Moraga's social reality as she was growing up: the powerful effect of the Chicano culture, patriarchal

Mental Retardation This Work Examines
Words: 6188 Length: 23 Document Type: Term Paper

Jones relates that statement of Corrigan: "Our work suggests that the biggest factor changing stigma is contact between people with mental illness and the rest of the population. The public needs to understand that many people with mental illness are functioning, fully contributing members of society." (Jones, 2006) Jones states that "the social cost of stigma associated with mental illness is high because it translates into huge numbers of

Effect of Forgiveness on Health
Words: 28998 Length: 105 Document Type: Thesis

Forgiveness on human health. In its simplest form, the purpose of the study is to evaluate human psychological stress that might constitute a risk factor for heart disease. Further, the study will also evaluate the impact of forgiveness on heart disease. However, such a simple dissertation clearly demands further definition. What, exactly, do we signify when we speak of heart disease? What is properly considered as forgiveness? What impact does

Scientific Approaches to Hookup Culture
Words: 3934 Length: 8 Document Type: Essay

Scientific Approaches to Hookup Culture On a practically day-to-day basis we are swamped with tales about the collapse of the current star marital relationship-- and cheating is usually the source of those who choose to separate. Is it even possible for 2 individuals to remain together gladly over a prolonged time frame? Since early evolution day, we've been informed that sexual monogamy comes normally to our types. However it does not

Conflict Resolution Theory
Words: 3415 Length: 10 Document Type: Research Paper

Conflict Resolution: Scenario Analysis The purpose of this research paper is to find theories and ways on how people deal with conflict on a smaller scale. Conflict arises from differences. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires. A deep personal need is at the core of the problem, such as a need to feel safe and secure, a need to feel respected and valued, or a

Family Ecology the Family Is
Words: 2218 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

It also varies with urban or rural residence. Urban households commonly earn more and enjoy a higher standard of living than rural households. The allocation for food spending corresponds to the biggest part of the family budget. However, as family income increases, the share in food in consumption expenses generally drops. This is most likely because of the popularity of "fast foods" nowadays. Socialization Process The process of socialization takes a

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now