2008 Woodie Awards
Divorce may harm childs future relationships
Alice DeBonis, Jambar Contributor
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Campus Life
The United States National Vital Statistic Reports that there were over 3 million divorces in 2007, and studies have found that the effect of parental divorce on young adults may harm any future intimate relationships they encounter.
For example, in the 2001 Journal of Marriage and Family, Dr. Susan Jacquet and Dr. Catherine Surra studied over 200 couples and found that young adults from divorced parents showed less trust in their romantic partners, had lower levels of commitment or dedication toward them, and had greater difficulty in maintaining friendships as compared to adults whose parents remained married.
However, according to a 2004 Huntington College study, divorce may not be as emotionally detrimental as previously believed.
The goal of the study was to determine if the level of intimacy of college students whose parents were divorced was different than those whose parents remained married. The results showed that there was no major difference between the two, and that those whose parents were divorced may not be as profoundly affected in intimate relationships as past studies have claimed.
Youngstown State University psychology professor Steve Ellyson wasn't surprised by these results. He said that in a lot of ways, many do not give credit to the ability of young adults and children to cope when dealing with divorce.
"Being adaptable is one thing humans do well," Ellyson said.
Senior Brian Jones is among those who are capable of adapting. He said that he had a good childhood and he doesn't think that his future intimate relationships will be affected by his parents' divorce.
"I was always fine," Jones said.
Senior Jonathon Johnson, whose parents are married, feels that divorce will only affect a person under difficult conditions.
"I suppose it depends on the nature of the divorce," Johnson said.
On the other hand, Freshman Jaime Hughes feels that divorces are emotionally draining, and that people carry that emotional baggage for a long time.
"I have friends whose parents are divorced. It's evident," Hughes said.
Ellyson said that not every adult and child who has divorced parents will suffer long-lasting effects in their lives, and to believe so would be making a generalization. Yet, Ellyson notes that for some, divorce can be more difficult to deal with.
"Divorce may be horrible for some, while others will roll with the punches," he said.
For example, in the 2001 Journal of Marriage and Family, Dr. Susan Jacquet and Dr. Catherine Surra studied over 200 couples and found that young adults from divorced parents showed less trust in their romantic partners, had lower levels of commitment or dedication toward them, and had greater difficulty in maintaining friendships as compared to adults whose parents remained married.
However, according to a 2004 Huntington College study, divorce may not be as emotionally detrimental as previously believed.
The goal of the study was to determine if the level of intimacy of college students whose parents were divorced was different than those whose parents remained married. The results showed that there was no major difference between the two, and that those whose parents were divorced may not be as profoundly affected in intimate relationships as past studies have claimed.
Youngstown State University psychology professor Steve Ellyson wasn't surprised by these results. He said that in a lot of ways, many do not give credit to the ability of young adults and children to cope when dealing with divorce.
"Being adaptable is one thing humans do well," Ellyson said.
Senior Brian Jones is among those who are capable of adapting. He said that he had a good childhood and he doesn't think that his future intimate relationships will be affected by his parents' divorce.
"I was always fine," Jones said.
Senior Jonathon Johnson, whose parents are married, feels that divorce will only affect a person under difficult conditions.
"I suppose it depends on the nature of the divorce," Johnson said.
On the other hand, Freshman Jaime Hughes feels that divorces are emotionally draining, and that people carry that emotional baggage for a long time.
"I have friends whose parents are divorced. It's evident," Hughes said.
Ellyson said that not every adult and child who has divorced parents will suffer long-lasting effects in their lives, and to believe so would be making a generalization. Yet, Ellyson notes that for some, divorce can be more difficult to deal with.
"Divorce may be horrible for some, while others will roll with the punches," he said.
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