Divorce, martyrdom for children

Divorce, torment for children

Editorial, Prague, June 8, 2025

Scientific research

Since the late 1960s, with the passing of divorce laws and cultural decline, the divorce rate in the United States has skyrocketed, reaching its peak in 1980. This situation has prompted research not only into the causes, but above all into the consequences of divorce on children, especially when it occurs in early childhood.

A more recent and comprehensive study on the subject used combined data from federal tax records, the Social Security Administration, and the US Census Bureau, covering all children born between 1988 and 1993. This methodology allowed for detailed tracking from childhood to adulthood, overcoming the limitations of previous research that lacked integrated longitudinal data at the national level. In addition, siblings within the same family were compared, differentiating the impact of divorce according to the age at which each child experienced it, which allowed for the identification of shared factors such as socioeconomic status and cultural environment.

Economic and social impact

https://thinktanklatam.org/el-privilegio-de-los-hijos-de-familia/

The results show that parental divorce, especially when it occurs before the age of five, has persistent and negative effects on the adult lives of children. Among the main consequences are:

Lower income in adulthood: Children of parents who divorce before the age of five have, at age 27, incomes that are 13% lower than those of their peers whose parents remained together during their childhood.

• Higher risk of teenage pregnancy: Early divorce increases the likelihood of teenage pregnancy by 60%, especially if it occurs before the age of 15. Higher risk of incarceration: Children of parents who divorced in early childhood are 40% more likely to be incarcerated than their peers from intact families.
• Higher risk of premature death:
• https://newsweekespanol.com/2025/06/03/divorciarse-cuando-los-hijos-son-pequenos-puede-aumentar-su-riesgo-de-muerte-prematura-estudio/
• The study found that mortality increases by up to 55% for those who experience parental divorce before the age of five, an effect comparable to that of not having health insurance. These effects are partly explained by the drastic reduction in family income after divorce, moving to neighborhoods with fewer opportunities, and decreased contact with one parent, usually the father.

Divorce is not only the legal dissolution of marriage, but also involves a series of structural changes in the lives of children:

• Reduced family income: After divorce, average household income falls by more than half, from approximately $100,000 to $42,000 per year. Although parents increase their working hours (mothers by 8% and fathers by 16%), this does not compensate for the loss of income.
• Frequent moves: The likelihood of moving almost triples after divorce, as families tend to relocate to areas with fewer resources and opportunities. This change in environment affects the quality of children’s education and social support networks.
• Family reconfiguration: Approximately half of parents remarry within five years of divorce, introducing stepparents and often new siblings into the family unit. This can dilute parental attention and resources, creating complex and sometimes conflictual dynamics.
• Parental distancing: Children generally remain in the custody of their mother, and contact with their father decreases considerably, which can affect their emotional development and the formation of social and educational skills.

Psychological and emotional consequences

Divorce affects children in various ways: emotionally, behaviorally, socially, and academically.

• Emotional: Children may experience irritability, depression, anxiety, sadness, and mood swings. Feelings of loss and the breakdown of family security are common, as are fear and uncertainty about the future.
• Feelings of guilt: It is common for children to blame themselves for their parents’ separation, which affects their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
• Internal conflicts: Children may feel caught between both parents, experiencing divided loyalties and additional emotional stress.
• Behavioral problems: Some children express aggression, rebelliousness, developmental regression, or academic difficulties as an expression of their emotional distress.
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• Impact according to age:
  • In early childhood (0-5 years), children may have difficulty understanding the situation, showing separation anxiety, sleep problems, and changes in eating habits.
  • In school age (6-12 years), they understand divorce better, but may feel abandoned, guilty, or responsible for the situation, and show behavioral problems at school or with friends. The presence and affection of both parents facilitate adaptation.
  • In adolescence, they may react with rebellion, sadness, resentment, or shame, affecting their academic performance and self-esteem. If they are allowed to express their feelings, they can develop problem-solving skills and adapt better to the new family dynamics.

Conclusion

Parental divorce, especially when it occurs in early childhood, has lasting and significant effects on children’s lives, affecting their economic, social, emotional, and academic well-being. The magnitude of these effects depends on factors such as age at separation, the level of conflict between parents, the quality of the subsequent parental relationship, and the support received.

Current scientific evidence compels us to address the issue of divorce honestly, recognizing its impacts and promoting policies and strategies that favor family stability and the comprehensive development of children. Only then will it be possible to reduce the intergenerational transmission of divorce and build more equitable and solid societies. And this cannot be achieved unless parents live convinced of the dignity and transcendence of the human soul according to Judeo-Christian teachings.

Source: The Daily Declaration, Sydney, May 2025