What Are The Negative Effects Of a Broken Family?

Did you know that children who come from a broken family have developmental issues? A broken home definition is one where the parents are divorced or separated. The sad truth is that many people never stop to wonder, "what are the negative effects of a broken family."

The extent of a broken family on the development of a child can be determined by various factors. These include the dynamics of family relationships and the age of the child when parents separate. As opposed to young children and infants, teenagers and older children go through negative educational, emotional, and social development issues.

What are the negative effects of a broken family on the emotional, educational, and social development of children? We discuss the answers below.

Emotional Effects

The effects of growing up in a broken home are significant in the emotional development of adolescents and preschoolers. Once parents have separated and started going through a paternity battle, the child will experience feelings of depression and seem tearful for several years. This cuts across the board from preschoolers and older teenagers.

These children become emotionally unresponsive because they are trying to block out their negative feelings. Building this wall may make it hard for therapists, teachers, and parents to help the child evaluate their emotions and develop properly.

Education and Academics

Another common effect of broken families is stunted academic development. When parents divorce, children go through emotional distress, instability, and lifestyle changes. These changes may result in poor educational outcomes.

Stunted educational development may come from a breakdown in financial resources, erratic routines, and an unstable home environment.

Social Aspects

Statistics on broken families show that divorce harms a child's social development. Some children may show their distress about the child support process by being aggressive or becoming bullies. These behaviors affect how a child interacts with their peers. Others may develop anxiety.

These feelings prevent them from forming social bonds or engaging in age-appropriate activities such as team sports. Teenagers from broken families may also develop cynical mistrust of their age mates and their parents.

Physical activity in school can help children who have gone through broken families. Physical activity helps kids in school for a number of reasons, including helping their mental health. They will develop bonds with their mates, and it'll help them have a sense of belonging.

Family Dynamics

In finding out, what are the negative effects of a broken family, one must realize that the divorce process affects family dynamics. For instance, even if the divorce is amicable, moving around two different households negatively affects the child. New living arrangements will require the child to have multiple chores and take up different roles in both homes.

Some older children may have to take up parenting roles to help their parents meet work schedules. Older children may also be required to fill in their parents' schedules and take care of the younger ones if they cannot be present.