Effects of Divorce on Children: A FIWEI Program Insight
Monday 21st April, 2025
Understanding Divorce: A Societal and Personal Challenge
Marriage and divorce are significant social issues with deep personal implications. As a major life stressor, divorce can have strong negative consequences for the mental and physical health of all family members. This FIWEI program aims to detail the profound effects of divorce on families, highlighting how children may drop out of school, engage in addiction, face premature sexual activity, and develop delinquent behaviour. Such instability can contribute to broader societal issues like crime and theft.
Impact on Parents and Underlying Causes
Custodial parents often undergo major life changes, including new living arrangements, economic hardship, loneliness from shifting social circles, and role strain from balancing childcare and work, which can deteriorate physical and mental health. While divorce is often viewed negatively, some individuals find it a path to improved well-being. Key causes for divorce include communication breakdowns, poor conflict resolution skills, loss of love, lack of commitment, financial problems, addiction, immaturity, and physical abuse. Less frequent, though still significant, causes include differences in child-rearing, women's education impacting dynamics, prolonged absences, and lack of cooperation in household tasks.
Far-Reaching Consequences for Individuals and Families
Divorce triggers far-reaching negative effects, including emotional distress such as grief, loss, anxiety, and depression, alongside financial instability and weakened family structures for both adults and children. Children may face academic struggles, behavioral problems, and social difficulties. While navigating these challenges can build emotional resilience, the family unit is fundamentally altered, requiring adaptation to new living arrangements and dynamics, which can impact children's self-esteem and overall outlook on life.
Societal Ramifications and Broader Concerns
The breakdown of families due to divorce has wider societal ramifications. Studies suggest correlations between high divorce rates and increased crime and poverty in communities. Furthermore, divorce can negatively impact children's academic performance and overall educational attainment. This disruption can weaken community cohesion and strain other social institutions, such as schools and churches, creating a ripple effect beyond the immediate family.
FIWEI's Proactive Approach and Solutions
Understanding these profound societal consequences and the causes of divorce, the Fortitude Impactful Women Empowerment Initiative (FIWEI) is committed to providing comprehensive, practical, and educative solutions. We address these critical issues through ongoing academic seminars and empowerment programs in various states, particularly in the Southeast regions, aiming to mitigate the negative impacts of divorce and offer support to affected families and individuals.
Learn More and FIWEI's Vision
FIWEI invites you to explore these topics further and engage with our resources. We encourage you to check our social media handles for insightful videos and discussions on subjects such as 'Effects of Divorce in the Society,' 'Who A Set Apart Woman Is,' 'Causes of Emotional Detachment,' and 'Attitudes That Sabotage Marriage.' Our guiding principles remain: AWEG... Progress. Build the Women... Build the Nation. Women... Strength and Pioneers of the Nation. This initiative is championed by Engr. Mrs. Obasi Kasarachi Josephine, National Director of the FIWEI Family.
