Divorce can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. This is because of the underlying effects it brings on the partners involved. Even though it isn't something one should experience because of the belief that marriage is forever and every partner must be able to settle whatever conflicts arise in their homes, some still go through it as the only option to help themselves.
Divorce can be caused by so many factors which are lack of commitment, financial problems, difficulties in communication, infidelity, trust issues, etc. This affects both partners, especially when they have tried to work it out but couldn't.
Divorce can also lead to financial instability, making it difficult for partners to maintain their standard of living. The process of divorce can be stressful, which takes a big toll on the partners, leading to psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, guilt, loneliness, etc) and increasing the risk of mental health issues.
Divorce certainly affects children. When they are exposed to the ongoing conflict between their parents, it can damage their development. It impacts their emotional, behavioural and social well-being. When children experience their parents getting divorced, they struggle in academics and find it difficult to perform well in school, which leads to lower grades. They become aggressive among their peers and are quickly isolated when they find it hard to maintain or form healthy relationships.
They go through feelings of sadness, shame and depression, causing many of them to be delinquent and even observe truancy at school. Though some of them are resilient and can quickly adjust well to the changes brought by the divorce, it is still something to be concerned about, mostly for their future.
Children need the support of both parents to function well. When parents are stable, working hand in hand to take care of their children, it leads to a healthy development in them. It can be damaging to them when they are brought up in an unhealthy or abusive marriage.
On the other hand, the mental well-being of parents also matters greatly because when they are emotionally unstable and unhappy due to divorce, they find it difficult to provide a nurturing environment for their children. When parents are constantly depressed or mentally unhealthy, children absorb that atmosphere which can lead to difficulties in staying healthy in the long term.
So, which should be prioritized?
I would say none should be ignored because both parent's and children's well-being are important. In this case, while we are supporting the parent's well-being, it indirectly affects the children's well-being, too. This is because when a parent is mentally okay and emotionally healthy, they are better equipped to take care of and guide a child, even after a divorce.
What I would most likely prefer is that both should be prioritized. This is done by making sure parents are given the necessary support either by their families or a professional health practitioner while also creating a loving environment and the support needed for the children whether they are together or separated.
Another one is through co-parenting where both parents have access to their children when and where necessary to reduce the harm or damage it may cause to them. I wouldn't advise anyone to stay in a toxic marriage, especially when lives are at stake because when they die, who would take care of their children?
Posted Using INLEO
