How/why does divorce
effect children in
academic performance?
BryAnna Weaver
Position Synthesis
English 1010
Background
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Majoring in Elementary Education
Family and Human Studies (FSH-1500)
Intro to Education (EDU-1010)
First, my question was; does divorce have an effect on
children and their academic performance?
Children WILL be effected by divorce, but how and why?
I developed a more specific research question.
Interesting facts that are relative to my
research question.
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less then 10% of people will never marry, or have some
form of committed partnership.
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About half of first marriages end in divorce, and the
percentage is even higher for remarried couples.
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There is only a 54% chance that marriages will make it 20
years (for Caucasians)
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More than half of divorce cases affects at least one child.
Factors That Make Divorce More Likely
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Before Marriage
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Divorced parents
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Either partner under age 21
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Cohabitation before marriage
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Previous divorce of either marriage
During Marriage
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Divergent plans and practices regarding childbearing and child rearing
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Financial stresses
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Communication difficulties
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Lack of time together
In the culture
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Laws that make divorce easier
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Approval of Remarriages
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Acceptance of single parenthood
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Weak religious values
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High divorce rate in cohort
How children are effected in academic
performance due to divorce.
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Children are more likely to drop out of high school
Less likely to enroll in college
Chances of them getting divorced latter in life are higher
Lower GPA and standardized test scores
Lower self-esteem
Behavior problems (bullying, depression, anger, anxiety, etc.)
Some research pointed out the different effects divorce had on
genders.
(After discovering how divorce effects children in academic
performance, the “why?” became more important in my research.)
Socioeconomic Status of Parents
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Considers parents’ educational attainment, occupation, level of
income and social class placement.
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These aspects could determine if a child’s needs are addressed.
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Low socioeconomic effects resources for children
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Divorce can lower socioeconomic statues in families. Therefore,
Children obtain less resources needed for academic
achievement.
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Home environment
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Health
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Other children in single-parent homes not due to divorce…
Lack of Recourses
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Books
Choice of schools
Supplies
Activities
Sports
Extra curricular
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Motivation?
Support?
Cultural?
Parental involvement?
Timing
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Children will suffer more if divorce occurs during critical
developmental stages.
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It’s important to look at the effect of divorce on children’s
academic achievement over time and not just a particular
stage or point in a child’s life.
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Effects over time
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Multiple transitions
Stability
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New homes, schools, parents, and rules
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Different parenting style between biological parents
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More contention between biological parents
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Different parenting style from stepparents
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Different socioeconomic status
Mindfulness
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Mindful Parenting Program
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Improving parenting after divorce through a mindful
parenting program
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Its focus Is to enhance interpersonal and emotional
connection in the parent-child relationship.
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The Mindful Parenting Program did increase mindfulness,
but not necessarily improve parent-child connectedness.
Children From Divorced Families vs. Children
From Different Family Structures
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Children from divorced families vs. children from twobiological parent families
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Children from divorced families vs. adopted children
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Children from divorced families vs. children from a never
married parent
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Children from divorced families vs. children from divorced
families but now with a stepparent
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Children from divorced families vs. children from a
cohabitating parent
Conclusion
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Children do not do poorly in academics because of divorce
itself, but rather the circumstances and problems that
divorce causes.
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In my opinion I do not think children suffer because of
socioeconomic statuses, lack of resources, parental
mindfulness, or stability, but more parent-child
connectedness.
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Divorce effects parent-child relationships, which in return
effects children emotionally, and mentally causing them
to suffer in their academic performance.
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Quality time, investment, interest, focus, dedication, and
understanding from parents is essential to children in
their over-all well being and success.
What I want my research
question to solve.
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Help me be aware of children’s struggles so that I can
prepare myself to be an impactful and effective teacher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzicjVLlAL4
Work Cited
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Altmaier, Elizabeth, and Raelynn Maloney. "An Initial Evaluation Of A Mindful
Parenting Program." Journal Of Clinical Psychology 63.12 (2007): 12311238. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
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Morrison, Donna Ruane, and Andrew J. Cherlin. "The Divorce Process And Young
Children's Well-Being: A Prospective Analysis. “Journal Of Marriage & Family 57.3
(1995): 800-812. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
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Sun, Yongmin, and Yuanzhang Li. "Effects Of Family Structure Type And Stability On
Children's Academic Performance Trajectories." Journal Of Marriage & Family 73.3
(2011): 541-556. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
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Raley, R. Kelly, Michelle L. Frisco, and Elizabeth Wildsmith. "Maternal Cohabitation
and Educational Success." Sociology of Education 78 (2005): 144-64. Print. Web. 11
Nov. 2013.
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Alika, Henrietta Leoma, and Ogboro Samson Edosa. "Relationship Between Broken
Homes And Academic Achievement Of Secondary School Students In Oredo Local
Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria." College Student Journal 46.2 (2012): 256263. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.
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Kauchak, Donald P., Paul D. Eggen, and Candace Carter. Introduction to Teaching:
Becoming a Professional. Fifth ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall,
2002. Print.
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Berger, Kathleen Stassen. Invitation to the Life Span. Second ed. New York: Worth,
2010. Print.