Divorce and Its Effect on Family Life

In conclusion, as the available evidence shows, divorce has pervasive effects on children and the five major institutions of society--the family, the church, the school, the marketplace, and the government itself. If the family is the building block of society, then marriage is the foundation. However, this foundation is growing weaker, with fewer adults entering into marriage, more adults leaving it in divorce, and more and more adults abstaining from it altogether for single parenthood or cohabitation. Given the prevalence of divorce, children today are becoming weaker educationally, emotionally, and physically. The increases in the rates of child abuse and neglect, crime, behavioural and emotional problems, health problems, cohabitation, future divorce, and out-of-wedlock births as well as the decrease in religious worship, educational attainment, and income potential should alarm every policymaker and community leader. The effects of divorce transcend generations and contribute to the all-too-evident cycle of social decay.…