DIVORCE AND ITS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON CHILDREN
Keywords:
Divorce, children of divorcees, divorcees, negative impacts
Abstract
In spite of the fact the current rate of divorce in The Gambia is not well documented, divorce and its associated problems especially on the children is a great concern not only to the government and its development partners but the communities as well. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of divorce and its negatives impacts on the children of the divorcees. In nature, it was a descriptive survey and purposive sampling technic was used to select the respondents. The survey concentrated on six core areas: level of knowledge of divorce, Level of understanding of divorce, Level of knowledge of the causes of divorce, Level of knowledge of the negative impacts of divorce on the children, Level of knowledge of the support services needed by children of divorcees; and Level of knowledge of the preventive methods of divorce.
Due to limited financial resources and time, the study took approximately one year three months. Well-structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from the participants in four markets. The data was presented and analyzed using tables and percentage. The findings revealed high level of awareness of divorce in the community though no consensus on its causes. It negatively affects all aspects of children developmental needs despite few positive impacts. Government should not only be the principle service provider but the core protector of this vulnerable.
References
1. Ajayi, et al., (2014). Methods of conflict resolution in African traditional society. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290233437_Methods_of_Conflict_Resolution_in_African_Traditional_Society
2. Amato, P. R. et al., (2011). Reconsidering the "Good Divorce".Family relations, 60(5), 511–524. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2011.00666.x. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223936/pdf/nihms301917.pdf
3. Amato P. (2012). The Consequences of Divorce for Adults and Children: An Update. Available at https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=180281
4. Anderson, J. (2014). The impact of family structure on the health of children: Effects of divorce. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240051/pdf/lnq-81-378.pdf
5. Arora, S. (2015). Formal and Informal Dispute Resolution. Available at https://www.lawctopus.com/academike/formal-informal-dispute-resolution/
6. Asadi et al., (2016).Sources, Outcomes, and Resolution of Conflicts in Marriage among Iranian women: A qualitative study. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4844469/
7. Azebre et al., (2014). Indigenous Mechanisms of Dispute Resolution Among The People Of Adaboya Traditional Area. Available at https://www.modernghana.com/news/534448/1/indigenous-mechanisms-of-dispute-resolution-among-.html
8. Bernardi et al. (2014). The long-term consequences of parental divorce for children’s educational attainment. Available at https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol30/61/30-61.pdf
9. Boniface, A.E. (2012). African-Style Mediation And Western-Style Divorce And Family Mediation: Reflections for the South African Context.Available at http://www.saflii.org/za/journals/PER/2012/56.pdf
10. Bray et al., (1995). Treatment of Marital Conflict and Prevention of Divorce. Available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1995.tb00175.x
11. Chae S. (2016). Parental Divorce and Children's Schooling in Rural Malawi. Demography, 53(6), 1743–1770. doi:10.1007/s13524-016-0521-7. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5130620/pdf/nihms828530.pdf
12. Chowdary, D. (2017). Approach of Family Court in settling Matrimonial Disputes. Available at https://blog.ipleaders.in/matrimonial-dispute-settling/
13. Cline et al., (1971).The impact of divorce on the family.Available at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01434640
14. Cohen, G.J. et ala.,(2016). Helping Children and Families Deal With Divorce and Separation. Available athttps://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/138/6/e20163020.full.pdf
15. Connolly, M.E. (n.d.). Evidence-Based Counseling Interventions With Children of Divorce: Implications for Elementary School Counselors. Available at https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ886140.pdf
16. Czapiewski, S.M. (2014). Loss of the Parent-Child Relationship after Divorce: Does Custodial Arrangement Matter? Available at https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1306&context=msw_papers
17. Desrosier et al., (2013).The Impact of Parental Separation on Young Children’s Mental Health. Available at http://www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/statistiques/sante/enfants-ados/adaptation-sociale/impact-separation-sante-mentale_an.pdf
18. Fagan P.F. et al. (2012).The Effects of Divorce on Children. Available at https://www.frc.org/EF/EF12A22.pdf
19. Finch, J. et al., (1990). “Divorce, Remarriage and Family Obligations,” Sociological Review 38, (1990): 231-234. Available at https://www.frc.org/EF/EF12A22.pdf
20. Fincham , F.D. (n.d.). Marital Conflict: Correlates, Structure, and Context. Available at https://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/cd/12_1/Fincham.cfm
21. Haimi et al., (2016). The Impact of Parental Separation and Divorce on the Health Status of Children, and the Ways to Improve it. Available at https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/the-impact-of-parental-separation-and-divorce-on-the-health-status-ofchildren-and-the-ways-to-improve-it-2332-0672-1000137.pdf
22. Hughes R. (2013). Improving Communication to Prevent Divorce– Jeremy Kanter. Available at https://divorcescience.org/2013/04/11/improving-communication-to-prevent-divorce-jeremy-kanter/
23. Hughes R. (2013). Improving Communication to Prevent Divorce– Jeremy Kanter. Available at https://divorcescience.org/2013/04/11/improving-communication-to-prevent-divorce-jeremy-kanter/
24. Johnson, K. (n.d.). How do School Social Workers Provide Support to Children of Divorce?Available athttps://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1205&context=msw_papers
25. Kepler, A. (2015). Marital satisfaction: the impacts premarital and couples counselling. Available at https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1472&context=msw_papers
26. Lee, C. M., et al.,(2000). Children's reactions to parental separation and divorce.Paediatrics& child health, 5(4), 217–218.Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2817796/pdf/pch05217.pdf
27. Leopold, T. (2018). Gender Differences in the Consequences of Divorce: A Study of Multiple Outcomes. Demography, 55(3), 769–797. doi:10.1007/s13524-018-0667-6. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5992251/pdf/13524_2018_Article_667.pdf
28. Lian T.C. (n.d.). A Study of Marital Conflict on Measures of Social Support and Mental Health. Available at https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2f2b/aa9fe4ebd5e1a59be7234ca026332ffb081b.pdf
29. Maaike J. (2018): Children’s Relationships with Grandparents in Married and in Shared and Sole Physical Custody Families, Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, DOI:10.1080/10502556.2018.1454199To link to this article. Available athttps://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2018.1454199
30. Majzub et al., (2012). Perception and adjustment of adolescents towards divorce. Available at https://ac.els-cdn.com/S1877042812018356/1-s2.0-S1877042812018356-main.pdf?_tid=55f47c14-5fee-4bff-9838-5b2d06ccaf56&acdnat=1530460567_d60c148c1686cf3302ed6f8494337b06
31. Marripedia (n.d.).Effects of Divorce on Family Relationships. Available at http://marripedia.org/effects_of_divorce_on_family_relationships#
32. McDemott et al., (n.d.). Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Unless Everyone Else is Doing it Too: Social Network Effects on Divorce in a Longitudinal Sample Followed for 32 Years. Available at https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/126464/breakingupishardtodo.pdf
33. Nunes-Costa, R. A. et al, (2009). Psychosocial adjustment and physical healthin children of divorce Rui A. Nunes-Costa,1Diogo J. P. V. Lamela,2 Bárbara F. C. Figueiredo. Available at http://www.scielo.br/pdf/jped/v85n5/en_v85n5a04.pdf
34. Odenweller, B. (2014). Does parental divorce have an effect on a child education? Available at http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1056&context=honors_proj
35. Osei-Hwedie et al. (n.d.). Indigenous Conflict Resolution in Africa: The Case of Ghana and Botswana. Available at https://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/heiwa/Pub/E29/e29-3.pdf
36. Pedro-Carroll, J. (2011). How Parents Can Help Children Cope With Separation/Divorce. Available athttp://www.child-encyclopedia.com/sites/default/files/textes-experts/en/630/how-parents-can-help-children-cope-with-separationdivorce.pdf
37. Sear et al. (2000). Maternal grandmothers improve nutritional status and survival of children in rural Gambia. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 267(1453), 1641–1647. Available athttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspb.2000.1190
38. Sheehan, G. et al, (2004). “Children's Perceptions of Their Sibling Relationships During Parental Separation and Divorce,” Journal of Divorce & Remarriage 41, no. 1/2 (2004): 80. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J087v41n01_05
39. Steven R. (2009).A Review of Effectiveness of Group Work with Children of Divorce,Social Work with Groups. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01609510902774315?needAccess=true
40. Tolorunleke, C.A. (2014). Causes of Marital Conflicts Amongst Couples in Nigeria: Implication for Counselling Psychologists. Available athttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/273850032_Causes_of_Marital_Conflicts_Amongst_Couples_in_Nigeria_Implication_for_Counselling_Psychologists
41. Uecker, J. E. et al., (2012). Parental Divorce, Parental Religious Characteristics, and Religious Outcomes in Adulthood. Journal for the scientific study of religion, 51(4), 777–794. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5906.2012.01679.x. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555139/pdf/nihms-433130.pdf
42. Vatuk, S. (2013).The “women's court” in India: an alternative dispute resolution body for women in distress. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/07329113.2013.774836?needAccess=true
43. Williams-Owens, W.M. (2017). The behavioral effects divorce can have on the children. Available at https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3353&context=gc_etds
44. Zaharychuk, C. (2017). Stepmothers’ Role in Mediating Adverse Effects on Children of Divorce. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10502556.2017.1301738?src=recsys&journalCode=wjdr20
45. Zhai, I. E. et al., (2008). “Spiritual, But Not Religious:” The Impact of Parental Divorce on the Religious and Spiritual Identities of Young Adults in the United States. Available at http://www.baylorisr.org/wp-content/uploads/zhai_rrr.pdf
2. Amato, P. R. et al., (2011). Reconsidering the "Good Divorce".Family relations, 60(5), 511–524. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2011.00666.x. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223936/pdf/nihms301917.pdf
3. Amato P. (2012). The Consequences of Divorce for Adults and Children: An Update. Available at https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=180281
4. Anderson, J. (2014). The impact of family structure on the health of children: Effects of divorce. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240051/pdf/lnq-81-378.pdf
5. Arora, S. (2015). Formal and Informal Dispute Resolution. Available at https://www.lawctopus.com/academike/formal-informal-dispute-resolution/
6. Asadi et al., (2016).Sources, Outcomes, and Resolution of Conflicts in Marriage among Iranian women: A qualitative study. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4844469/
7. Azebre et al., (2014). Indigenous Mechanisms of Dispute Resolution Among The People Of Adaboya Traditional Area. Available at https://www.modernghana.com/news/534448/1/indigenous-mechanisms-of-dispute-resolution-among-.html
8. Bernardi et al. (2014). The long-term consequences of parental divorce for children’s educational attainment. Available at https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol30/61/30-61.pdf
9. Boniface, A.E. (2012). African-Style Mediation And Western-Style Divorce And Family Mediation: Reflections for the South African Context.Available at http://www.saflii.org/za/journals/PER/2012/56.pdf
10. Bray et al., (1995). Treatment of Marital Conflict and Prevention of Divorce. Available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1995.tb00175.x
11. Chae S. (2016). Parental Divorce and Children's Schooling in Rural Malawi. Demography, 53(6), 1743–1770. doi:10.1007/s13524-016-0521-7. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5130620/pdf/nihms828530.pdf
12. Chowdary, D. (2017). Approach of Family Court in settling Matrimonial Disputes. Available at https://blog.ipleaders.in/matrimonial-dispute-settling/
13. Cline et al., (1971).The impact of divorce on the family.Available at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01434640
14. Cohen, G.J. et ala.,(2016). Helping Children and Families Deal With Divorce and Separation. Available athttps://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/138/6/e20163020.full.pdf
15. Connolly, M.E. (n.d.). Evidence-Based Counseling Interventions With Children of Divorce: Implications for Elementary School Counselors. Available at https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ886140.pdf
16. Czapiewski, S.M. (2014). Loss of the Parent-Child Relationship after Divorce: Does Custodial Arrangement Matter? Available at https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1306&context=msw_papers
17. Desrosier et al., (2013).The Impact of Parental Separation on Young Children’s Mental Health. Available at http://www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/statistiques/sante/enfants-ados/adaptation-sociale/impact-separation-sante-mentale_an.pdf
18. Fagan P.F. et al. (2012).The Effects of Divorce on Children. Available at https://www.frc.org/EF/EF12A22.pdf
19. Finch, J. et al., (1990). “Divorce, Remarriage and Family Obligations,” Sociological Review 38, (1990): 231-234. Available at https://www.frc.org/EF/EF12A22.pdf
20. Fincham , F.D. (n.d.). Marital Conflict: Correlates, Structure, and Context. Available at https://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/cd/12_1/Fincham.cfm
21. Haimi et al., (2016). The Impact of Parental Separation and Divorce on the Health Status of Children, and the Ways to Improve it. Available at https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/the-impact-of-parental-separation-and-divorce-on-the-health-status-ofchildren-and-the-ways-to-improve-it-2332-0672-1000137.pdf
22. Hughes R. (2013). Improving Communication to Prevent Divorce– Jeremy Kanter. Available at https://divorcescience.org/2013/04/11/improving-communication-to-prevent-divorce-jeremy-kanter/
23. Hughes R. (2013). Improving Communication to Prevent Divorce– Jeremy Kanter. Available at https://divorcescience.org/2013/04/11/improving-communication-to-prevent-divorce-jeremy-kanter/
24. Johnson, K. (n.d.). How do School Social Workers Provide Support to Children of Divorce?Available athttps://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1205&context=msw_papers
25. Kepler, A. (2015). Marital satisfaction: the impacts premarital and couples counselling. Available at https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1472&context=msw_papers
26. Lee, C. M., et al.,(2000). Children's reactions to parental separation and divorce.Paediatrics& child health, 5(4), 217–218.Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2817796/pdf/pch05217.pdf
27. Leopold, T. (2018). Gender Differences in the Consequences of Divorce: A Study of Multiple Outcomes. Demography, 55(3), 769–797. doi:10.1007/s13524-018-0667-6. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5992251/pdf/13524_2018_Article_667.pdf
28. Lian T.C. (n.d.). A Study of Marital Conflict on Measures of Social Support and Mental Health. Available at https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2f2b/aa9fe4ebd5e1a59be7234ca026332ffb081b.pdf
29. Maaike J. (2018): Children’s Relationships with Grandparents in Married and in Shared and Sole Physical Custody Families, Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, DOI:10.1080/10502556.2018.1454199To link to this article. Available athttps://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2018.1454199
30. Majzub et al., (2012). Perception and adjustment of adolescents towards divorce. Available at https://ac.els-cdn.com/S1877042812018356/1-s2.0-S1877042812018356-main.pdf?_tid=55f47c14-5fee-4bff-9838-5b2d06ccaf56&acdnat=1530460567_d60c148c1686cf3302ed6f8494337b06
31. Marripedia (n.d.).Effects of Divorce on Family Relationships. Available at http://marripedia.org/effects_of_divorce_on_family_relationships#
32. McDemott et al., (n.d.). Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Unless Everyone Else is Doing it Too: Social Network Effects on Divorce in a Longitudinal Sample Followed for 32 Years. Available at https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/126464/breakingupishardtodo.pdf
33. Nunes-Costa, R. A. et al, (2009). Psychosocial adjustment and physical healthin children of divorce Rui A. Nunes-Costa,1Diogo J. P. V. Lamela,2 Bárbara F. C. Figueiredo. Available at http://www.scielo.br/pdf/jped/v85n5/en_v85n5a04.pdf
34. Odenweller, B. (2014). Does parental divorce have an effect on a child education? Available at http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1056&context=honors_proj
35. Osei-Hwedie et al. (n.d.). Indigenous Conflict Resolution in Africa: The Case of Ghana and Botswana. Available at https://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/heiwa/Pub/E29/e29-3.pdf
36. Pedro-Carroll, J. (2011). How Parents Can Help Children Cope With Separation/Divorce. Available athttp://www.child-encyclopedia.com/sites/default/files/textes-experts/en/630/how-parents-can-help-children-cope-with-separationdivorce.pdf
37. Sear et al. (2000). Maternal grandmothers improve nutritional status and survival of children in rural Gambia. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 267(1453), 1641–1647. Available athttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspb.2000.1190
38. Sheehan, G. et al, (2004). “Children's Perceptions of Their Sibling Relationships During Parental Separation and Divorce,” Journal of Divorce & Remarriage 41, no. 1/2 (2004): 80. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J087v41n01_05
39. Steven R. (2009).A Review of Effectiveness of Group Work with Children of Divorce,Social Work with Groups. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01609510902774315?needAccess=true
40. Tolorunleke, C.A. (2014). Causes of Marital Conflicts Amongst Couples in Nigeria: Implication for Counselling Psychologists. Available athttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/273850032_Causes_of_Marital_Conflicts_Amongst_Couples_in_Nigeria_Implication_for_Counselling_Psychologists
41. Uecker, J. E. et al., (2012). Parental Divorce, Parental Religious Characteristics, and Religious Outcomes in Adulthood. Journal for the scientific study of religion, 51(4), 777–794. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5906.2012.01679.x. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555139/pdf/nihms-433130.pdf
42. Vatuk, S. (2013).The “women's court” in India: an alternative dispute resolution body for women in distress. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/07329113.2013.774836?needAccess=true
43. Williams-Owens, W.M. (2017). The behavioral effects divorce can have on the children. Available at https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3353&context=gc_etds
44. Zaharychuk, C. (2017). Stepmothers’ Role in Mediating Adverse Effects on Children of Divorce. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10502556.2017.1301738?src=recsys&journalCode=wjdr20
45. Zhai, I. E. et al., (2008). “Spiritual, But Not Religious:” The Impact of Parental Divorce on the Religious and Spiritual Identities of Young Adults in the United States. Available at http://www.baylorisr.org/wp-content/uploads/zhai_rrr.pdf
Published
2019-07-29
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2019 IJO- International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the IJO Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.
