Divorce

“For a young child, psychologically, divorce is the equivalent of lifting a hundred-pound weight over the head. Processing all he radical and unprecedented changes-loss of a parent, loss of a home, of friends- stretches immature cognitive and emotional abilities to the absolute limit and some-times beyond that limit.” (Hetherington & Kelly, 2002)

Divorce has shown to reap negative effects on children immediately in regards to academic performance and behavior. While these effects are apparent during the process of divorce and soon after, divorce also effects children well into their adult lives in regards to their future relationships and academic aspirations. With the surplus of research and data that is now available, it is clear that children are negatively impacted by divorce. Research shows that there is a decrease in academic progression, greater susceptibility to illegal substances, inclination towards future divorce, and decline of socioeconomic status among children of divorce. The effects of divorce are very personal, but also create a ripple effect economically and socially. Research regarding the effects of divorce has also lead to an expansion of helpful resources that attempt to soften the blow o parental separation on children. Programs have been created to dilute negative effects by educating parents about the effects of divorce on their children. Therapeutic resources are available specifically for children who are experiencing parental separation. (Brown 2009) While each situation is unique on its own, generally children of divorce are placed at a great disadvantage when compared to children of married parents.

Divorce is a common occurrence in the United States, and because of this there are also many blended families, or step-families.  This change in family stricture can be stressful on all family members. Learning to incorporate another family into your own can be a challenge, but is possible when effective communication and positive interactions are prominent. 

Parenting

I consider myself blessed to have the parents that i do. They have made a bigger impact on my life than anyone else that i have encountered. Knowing how much they influenced me makes me realize how important the task of parenthood is. According to The Family: A Proclamation to the World ," Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God, and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live." The duty of a parent is sacred. It is divine, and should be treated as such. Parenthood has been both my greatest fear, and the one thing that i look forward to most in this life. As we discussed in class, there are many resources available to us that can guide parents to raise their children as best as they can. Regardless of ever secular study that has been done regarding the most effective parenting techniques, i know that the best way to raise a child is in a gospel context. Parents should teach and apply correct gospel principles in the home. This, in my opinion, is the recipe for perfect parenting.

Parents should do their best to rear their children in love and righteousness, but regardless of how effective parents are, children still wander astray. This week, we were assigned to read an article regarding wayward children. It specifically addressed the fact that there are angels all around, helping these wayward children return to straight and narrow path. It is inspiring an motivating to know that regardless of where we are, or what situation we are in, there will always be angels surrounding us to aid us when in need. One of my favorite hymns is #117 "Come Unto Jesus," specifically because of one line in the third verse which reads: "oh, know you not that angels are near you from brightest mansions above?". It is even more reassuring to know that such angels are not strangers, but many are our ancestors or close friends who have passed on. Like many of us, i have members in my family that have been, or are currently inactive. It is heartbreaking to see the potential in these family members as they continue to make poor decisions that impede on their salvation. In the article, Larry Barkdull stated "We must not despair. In working with our wayward children, God will assemble all the powers of heaven and earth to achieve His glorious work." I would imagine that as a parent it is especially difficult to watch a child stray. Many parents take complete responsibility for their children's decisions, and they blame themselves for the child's inactivity. It is necessary, and comforting, to know that that we are not alone in our efforts to realign wayward loved ones. Ministering angels are right by our side, doing all that they can to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and what a relief that is.