Melissa Roma

1
Divorce and Children

• Presented by
• Melissa Roma
• Rosalie Sciascia

2
Statistics

• Divorce has touched the lives of a large number
  of children.
• Every year, over 1 million children experience
  divorce.
• At least 40 of all children will experience
  divorce, prior to age 18.
• Nearly one half of recent first marriages will
  end in divorce.
• Likelyhood of divorce is even greater in second
  and third marriages.

3
Psychological Health Effects

• Shock
• Denial
• Physical problems
• Anger
• Panic
• Guilt
• Self-criticism
• Low self esteem
• Misbehavior
• DEPRESSION

• Asthma
• Frequent headaches
• Speech defects
• Accidents, injuries and poisonings

4
Questions

• What if they both leave me?
• What is it that I did wrong?
• Did I cause the divorce?
• Now whats going to happen to me?

5
Movie
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Difference between effects of divorce on boys and
girls

• Girls
• Intensified separation anxiety
• Denial and avoidance
• Emotionally dependent

• Boys
• Higher risk of depression
• Blaming and inattention
• Decreased work effort
• Inappropriate behavior
• Aggressive
• Socially insecure

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How Divorce Affects Educational Achievement

• Throughout a childs educational experience, the
  divorce of parents has an impact on learning and
  achievement.
• A decrease in school performance and behavior
• They impose temporary interruptions in the
  learning process
• Very influenced
• Poorer academic achievement, lower self-perceived
  cognition competence and lower IQ and aptitude
  scores

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Children and their School Life

• Harder for them to concentrate on homework or
  join in activities.
• Less capable of making friends and enjoying their
  childhood.
• Less likely to excel.
• Least likely to graduate.

• Less motivated to do well in school.
• Academic progress will continue to weaken.
• Children initially may fall behind academically
  and not be able to catch up.
• Lose self-esteem and motivation.

9
Tips for Parenting Out Of Two Homes

• Parents must continue to show their child that
  they are loved through both words and actions.
• Encourage a two home concept.
• Be supportive of both homes.
• Establish structure for your children within your
  home.
• Be supportive of the other parents role.
• Let children know what to expect.
• Keep birthdays, holidays and other important
  events special for your children.
• Dont give gifts to children with strings
  attached.

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Tips for Teachers Who Have Students with Divorced
Parents

• Incorporate various projects so that children can
  talk about their sadness.
• Supporting the child in academics and other
  achievements.
• Maintaining consistency and discipline.
• Making children feel competent.
• Listening to the childs point of view.
• Being an advocate for the child.
• Keeping both parents involved.

11
Thanks!