The Pervasive Need: Statistics on the Effects of Divorce on Children

Children of divorce deserve our attention and are in need of support services. Research has shown that children of divorce are more likely to divorce themselves, more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems, more likely to struggle in school, join gangs, drop out of school, and exhibit a host of other problems and tendencies. The Rainbows International program website lists these behavioral statistics regarding children from changing families:

• 75% of teen pregnancies occur in adolescents from single parent homes. (From Healing the Hurt, Restoring the Hope, by Suzy Yehl Marta)
  
• 75% of children/adolescents in chemical dependency hospitals are from single-parent families. (Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA)
• 1 out of 5 children have a learning, emotional, or behavioral problem due to the family system changing. (National Center for Health Statistics)
• More than one half of all youths incarcerated for criminal acts lived in one-parent families when they were children. (Children's Defense Fund)
• Nine million American children face risk factors that may hinder their ability to become healthy and productive adults. One in seven children deal with at least four of the risk factors, which include growing up in a single-parent household...The survey also indicated that children confronting several risk factors are more likely to experience problems with concentration, communication, and health. (1999 Kids Count Survey - Annie E. Casey Foundation)
• 63% of suicides are individuals from single parent families (FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin - Investigative Aid)

These statistics are startling, but they are no more startling than the personal stories I hear from children about what is happening in their homes and their personal struggles to deal with their home life, without the help of any other children or adults. Uncomfortable talking to their parents and embarrassed to talk to their peers, children of divorce deal with the emotional aftermath of divorce, essentially, alone. I remember a little girl looking up at me, and she asked, “If something happens to my mommy, will you take care of me?” Knowing what I knew about the struggles her family was experiencing, as my heart was breaking for her, it became very clear that things need to change. We may not be able to help every child, but I desperately wanted to help the little girl in front of me, and the many, many other children in the same situation. I want to help as many children as I can. With over one million American children experiencing the divorce of their parents every year, I know that we have a lot of work to do.

In reading all of these statistics, you may think of many counter-examples. There are many young people who grow up in single-parent homes who thrive in adulthood. They use the obstacles that life has thrown at them as opportunities to grow, opportunities to develop personal strength. This does not mean that the difficult divorce and post-divorce transitions are any easier for these children – instead, they have learned to cope in a healthier way than many of their peers.

My goals are to help all children cope in healthier ways, to help children meet their potential, and to help them dream big dreams and live to see them realized. I want children to grow into adults that live extraordinary lives of purpose, service, and hope. But in order to do this, we must face the reality that children of divorce do deserve our attention. They do need our help. It is a first step in understanding their needs. A child at a divorce support group drew the following picture about what divorce feels like.

Once we understand that children of divorce need our help, it is time to take action to stand up for our most vulnerable citizens – those children and youth who cannot stand up for themselves. Thank you so much for reading my blog and joining the effort to help as many children and families as possible. If you'd like to be a part of this cause, please befriend the Banana Splits program on myspace. It is a part of my effort to spread awareness and disseminate information and calls to action important to our cause. I will post again soon about other ways that YOU can help children of divorce in your community. Thank you again! ~SMPT