DivorceDivorce Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

Divorce Statistics Changes in divorce from 1960s until now. Following a divorce, 84% of children reside with their mothers. Changes in the methods in which we do research in divorce.

Research in Divorce Past: assumed 2-parent family structure necessary for successful child socialization. Many early studies flawed. Many did not investigate significant mediating factors.

Research in Divorce Current researchers: take a life course, risk and resilience perspective. Divorce is one step in a series of family transitions that affect family relationships & children’s adjustment.

Effects of Divorce Immediately following the divorce. Symptoms most commonly seen. After the divorce….children are less socially, emotionally, and academically well adjusted than are children in non-divorced families.

Problems related to divorce Adolescence – more likely to drop out of school More likely to become pregnant. More likely to engage in antisocial / delinquent behavior. More clinical problems. Young adulthood – level of achievement, quality of close personal relationships, fewer financial resources.

Can anything positive come out of divorce? Girls: lots of conflict before divorce, more competent after divorce.

Factors that mediate divorce Age – early studies indicated younger, better. Recent studies – no. Gender – early studies – negative adjustment for boys; remarriage problematic for girls. Recent studies: behavior problems increase in adolescence – greater risk for girls.

Factors that mediate divorce Personality Intelligence Competency Easy temperament High self-esteem Internal locus of control Good sense of humor

Should parents stay together for the kids? The effects of high conflict. Personality profile.

What can parents do to help? Children’s adjustment = quality of parenting. Warm, supportive, communicative, responsive to needs, firm & consistent control, positive discipline, MONITOR closely.

What can parents do to help? Non-custodial parent MUST be involved. Supportive Child not feel in the middle Economics coparenting

Father Absence Literature Meta analysis 67 studies Stevenson & Black 60% of all marriages end in divorce 90% of all cases, mom gets custody 1/6 th children see dad 1x/week 50% do not see dad at all 2/3rds have no relationship with dad 10 years post divorce

Is dad necessary for a good outcome with kids? YES! The role of child support. Issues of poverty. Why aren’t dads more involved? The role of mom’s attitudes towards dad.

Why isn’t dad around more? Employment Women’s attitudes Depression Workplace issues Fatherhood programs Start with our sons early on.

Effects on children More aggression …. Why? More antisocial behaviors. Hetherington – before 5 years old Adelson – sex role development of boys Armsden – attachment & adolescents

Effects on children Stevenson & Black – stereotypical sex-typed toys. Conceptions of masculine & feminine roles. Block – sex roles & socialization Lamb – the role of the peer group

Effects on children Biller & Bahm – masculine behavior Beaty – adolescent males & peers Father absence & daughters –Early sexual activity –More likely to be sexually abused –Early pregnancy

Effects on children Newcomer & Udry – minor delinquencies Ballard et al – sexually abused; early sexual relations; multiple sex partners Daughters & “caring” dads

Father absence & African American Males Paschall et al – –Cernkovich & Giordano – parental control & supervision –Griffin et al – parental monitoring & substance use & delinquency –Paschall et al – attachment & violence –Single moms