If parents treat each other in an adversarial, hostile, and malevolent manner, then kids, quite naturally, will draw exactly opposite conclusions. Yes, it really is that simple. I know of divorced parents who are highly rational and benevolent towards their children. I have also met married parents who are hateful and venomous towards each other. Divorce is not so terrible when the parents treat each other with dignity and respect.
Parents have an obligation to be rational.
Benevolence, kindness and everything else flows from a commitment to being rational . Nothing could be further from the truth. The better you know reality, the more capable and competent you feel. Whether or not you are a parent, a commitment to full rationality and intellectual integrity is everyone's selfish responsibility. If you are a parent the stakes are particularly high, because there are little ones looking to you for leadership.