Long-Term Effects of Divorce on Adolescent Boys and Girls

Long-Term Effects of Divorce on Adolescent Boys and Girls Undra Parker Wayland Baptist University Abstract Parental divorce can result in devastating effects on children. These children suffer tremendous long-term consequences as a result of an event that is not their doing. This paper reviews literature and opinions concerning the long-term effects of divorce on adolescents. The paper outlines four major areas of interest: aggression as a result of parental conflict and the different types associated with boys and girls, depression in the lives of boys and girls in its various forms, the choice boys and girls make to marry or not later in life and the possibility of adolescents expressing parental alienation. The results of this†¦show more content†¦In a study published in 2007, Sarrazin and Cyr claim that aggression is more rampant if the child is left in the custody of the less dominant parent. If the child identifies him or herself with the less dominating opposite sex or the dominating same-sex parent there could be increased problems of aggression. If the father is th e dominant figure then boys show fewer problems and vice-versa for girls if the mother is the dominant figure [ (Sarrazin amp; Cyr, 2007) ]. The father figure is very important especially to adolescent boys because when father is absent they react more aggressively than girls [ (Dreman, 2000; Sarrazin amp; Cyr, 2007) ]. Portnoy [ (2006) ] stated that â€Å"20 percent of divorced fathers do not see their children at all during their high school years† [ (p. 76) ]. Oftentimes when boys are placed in the custody of the mother these mothers â€Å"identify sons with their ex-spouse† which results in the child exerting more aggression either towards the custodial parent, non-custodial parent or others [ (Dreman, 2000) ]. Research has identified different types of aggression to include instrumental, reactive, relational, bullying aggression (Berger, 2008; Merrell, Buchanan, amp; Tran, 2006; Cappella amp; Weinstein, 2006) and social aggression [ (Merrell, Buchanan, amp; Tran, 2006; Cappella amp; Weinstein, 2006) ].Show MoreRelatedThe Effects of Divorce on Children Essay768 Words   |  4 Pageswill experience the divorce of their parents before they reach age eighteen (D. Matthews). Research suggests that divorce creates harm to children and affects development of children in a variety of ways. Research also suggests that divorce also has both short-term and long term effects on children. 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