Many people entering into a divorce begin a procession of hurtful actions that forever alter their children's lives. There is increasing evidence that many children of divorce suffer tremendously over the long term. Each divorce is unique, and the various facts, assets, debts and faults of each individual marriage must be considered in its resolution. Anyone who blindly enters into the divorce arena must understand that the consequences of their actions will follow them throughout their life. The toll of divorce on our society has been devastating.
Adults become alienated, and some children never fully recover.
The ripple effect of divorce on the social fabric of our entire society is felt by many. It is evident in problems at our schools, the incidence of crime, teenage pregnancy and other undesirable situations. The landmark 25-year study of families after divorce, recently completed by family researcher Judith Wallerstein, indicates that these children have the potential for more problems than do the children of intact families. We know these children experience a lower standard of living after divorce because, frequently, only one parent is contributing to household expenses. In response, some states have made divorces more difficult to obtain.