The Effects of a Broken Family on the Children

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Recommended: Abstract of the psychological effects of divorce on children

A broken family refers to a family that has gone through a separation, abandonment or divorce leaving the children with only one parent instead of the much needed two. In the beginning of a divorce parents tend to argue non-stop and just have a sense of despair around the household. Children around that type of atmosphere can get confused and blame themselves for such arguments and the overall unhappiness. When dealing with divorce the effects on the children vary depending on their age, time of separation and personality and family relationship (Anderson "The Effect of a Broken Family on Development"). For example infants and young children may experience some negative development effects, older children and teenagers tend to suffer more and have a more lasting effect on their social, emotional, and educational day to day life (Anderson "The Effect of a Broken Family on Development"). By nature divorce not only changes the structure of a family but also its dynamics stated by the previous source. Even in some cases when the divorce goes smoothly without putting the children through too much drama, just by taking a family that once was happy as is and making two separate households will permanently alter family interactions and the roles of both the parents and children. In most broken homes older children are forced to grow up faster and take on more responsibility around the house.
After a divorce children from pre-school through late adolescence tend to experience the most of their problems in emotional development (Anderson "The Effect of a Broken Family on Development"). Having a parent leave the house can cause younger children to become confused as to why they left and aren’t coming back. These young children are more afra...

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...erica?”). Without a father or at least a father figure children are growing up the wrong way and by the time people come to help being fatherless has already left its effect. This is why dads need to be responsible from the beginning because a child needs both parents to develop successfully. By starting from the beginning and getting married first and staying together permantly we can stop the disastrous effects of the broken family. Two people shouldn’t come together in hopes to start a family unless they are both already to fully commit to each other and the babies they wish to have. By stopping this trend we would be making a better future for America with each child brought up right with both parents. Not only do we need dads to stay in the lives of their kids, dads need to be a positive influence and with moms help mold the children into who they need to be.

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