For the sake of the children, get the divorce

New research from the scientists at University College London assessed 6,000 children of various ages and the impact of divorce. The outcome was determined that unhappy parents should not stay together for the sake of the children. Apparently, divorcing is less harmful if it takes place earlier in childhood. Specifically, children aged between three and seven whose parents divorced and those of the same age who did not showed no differences in behavior (disobedience) or emotional (low mood, anxiety) problems resulting from the divorce.

On the other hand, parents who separated with children between the ages of 7 and 14 years old are 16% more likely to suffer emotional and behavioral problems than those who stayed together. The new research further indicates that divorce is more damaging to adolescents than to younger children because they are more socially sensitive and better able to pick up on negative relationship dynamics and have more disruptions to schooling and friendships from the divorce. Interestingly, increased emotional problems were noticed for both boys and girls, but more severe behavioral issues were observed in boys.

If you are contemplating divorce, contact the Chicago divorce lawyers of WardFamilyLawChicago.com to discuss the impact that divorce will have on your children, including the process of establishing parenting time, decision-making and entry of an allocation judgment.