Professor Kelly Musick of Cornell University, New York, the co-author of ‘Are Both Parents Always Better Than One?’ reported that “children from high-conflict families…have an increased likelihood…(of) dropping out of school, poor grades, smoking, binge drinking, marijuana use, early sex, non-marital fertility and union dissolution”. It indicated that children from unhappy families were at a greater risk of experiencing mental health issues, behavioural problems and relationship breakdowns later in life. They were also a third more likely to become binge drinkers than those from single-parent households.
Using data from interviews taken with 2,000 families for the National Survey of Families and Households, the report focused on children aged from 4 to 34 and is the first in depth analysis of how children who experience high levels of conflict between their married parents fair compared to those in other family arrangements.
Another study published recently which was commissioned by Mishcon de Reya to mark the 20th anniversary of the Children Act 1989 focused on a representative sample of 2,000 individuals who had experienced a divorce as a child in the past 20 years. The survey revealed that 42% of children reported witnessing aggressive rows between their parents, with 49% forced to comfort an upset mother or father. Just under a quarter of those questioned admitted that they had been forced by one parent to lie to the other with a further 15% being asked to spy on the other parent.
The study indicated that parents who used children as “emotional footballs” during battles for residence could leave the children so traumatised that a third would seek solace in either drugs or alcohol. It was suggested that one in ten children whose parents go through an acrimonious separation or divorce turn to crime with 8% considering suicide as a result of the trauma caused by their home situation.
Maureen Nutall, Strategy Development Manager at Action for Children, said “divorce can be a difficult time for families and children can often be left isolated if they do not get appropriate understanding and guidance. These findings highlight the need for targeted support for both parents and children at what can be a complicated and confusing time. The emotional wellbeing of children must be a priority for parents, the legal profession and support services to ensure the impact of divorce is kept to a minimum.”
It would therefore appear that many different consequences may result from the decision to cohabit, marry or divorce and it is advisable to seek professional legal advice if you are concerned about the potential impact life decisions may have on you or others.
By Danielle Bennett