Divorce and Kids: Sons and Daughters Process it Differently
When parents come to the realization that a marriage is no longer viable, the emotional fallout impacts all family members. Research shows that sons and daughters process their emotions after a divorce differently. Kentucky parents who are going through the process may be able to help their children easier if they understand how boys and girls experience a divorce.
Studies suggest that daughters will recover quicker from their parents’ divorce if they are permitted to reside primarily with their mothers, who help facilitate a healthy, ongoing relationship with their fathers. Girls are more inclined to seek to please both parents while turning blame for a divorce inward on themselves. Girls whose parents’ divorce was full of stress and animosity may experience an early onset of puberty and the health risks associated with early menstruation. Girls may also be more inclined to become a teen mother and engage less with school activities and sports. They also tend to develop eating disorders and trust issues.
Boys have been shown to act out more aggressively and to do poorly in school. They may have self-esteem issues and are more likely to have their own marriages end in divorce. Boys also are more inclined to gain weight and suffer related health problems. They are more likely to run away from home. Sons may experience poor sleep patterns and engage in more troublesome behaviors such as addiction tendencies.
Both sexes may struggle academically after parents split up. Boys are more likely to drop out of school while girls may not perform well on college entrance exams. However, if parents are able to forge an amiable relationship after a divorce and can ensure that children are able to form strong bonds with both parents, then children may get through the process in a healthy fashion. Kentucky residents who are concerned about the effects of their divorce on their children may seek the guidance of an experienced family law attorney.