posted in Child Custody
on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
Thousands of children in Connecticut will likely be affected by divorce this year alone. According to annual estimates, 1.5 million children in the U.S. will see their parents divorce. This means that physical custody will be determined and one parent may be given visitation rights and nothing more. Though a large number of children will be caught in the middle of custody battles, some will not because their parents fear that divorce will affect them in a severely negative way. A new report refutes this claim, suggesting that these fears are more prevalent than they should be.
Divorce is a complicated process that leaves many involved with anxiety, depression and anger. These feelings are seen in spouses and children alike. But these emotions are a normal response to such a situation and new reports suggest that they tend not to last.
Still, many parents stress about the consequences that a divorce could have on the kids. Some even choose to stay together in order to give the children a more stable life. According to reports, a divorce that is accompanied by high levels of conflict either during or after the split can lead to poor adaptation in children. But divorces that have high levels of conflict before the dissolution of the marriage are more likely to be perceived as relieving, allowing children to cope with the matter in a different way.
This means that high-conflict marriages may be more harmful to children if a divorce is not pursued. It also means that parents who hide conflict from their kids before the split may be shocking the children by announcing their divorce. Some researchers believe that this blind-siding can disrupt the ability of kids to adjust to the situation properly.
Regardless of the situation, a legal representative can help you work through a divorce with your children in mind. Keeping a professional around will keep you on track with your original goal in mind, no matter how emotionally distraught you become.
Source: Salon, “Does divorce really traumatize children?” Hal Arkowitz and Scott O. Lilienfield, March 19, 2013
International custody battle ends with return of child,
Changes to custody legislation may become more widespread,