The Benefits of Divorce

 Posted on September 27, 2012 in Child Custody

According to the Huffington Post, the widespread social presumption is that families in which parents are married are better for children than families in which the parents are divorced. Divorce, of course, "accompanies a range of challenges and problems, including a drop in living standards, the disruption of existing family rhythms and the presence, in all too many cases, of high conflict between the parents." But the general understanding that divorce is the worst-case scenario for children is changing. Divorce can yield some surprising benefits for the family, the least of which is the cessation of constant fighting between married parties.

The most obvious benefit of a divorce for the children of a broken marriage is the child no longer has to live in a house with warring individuals, who most likely—intentionally or not—force the children to choose sides. Yet benefits of divorce involving children aren't just for the kids: providing that the divorce was relatively amicable, or that both parents have a vested interest in parenting, divorce can lead to more personal time for both parents, when the child is at the house of the other. According to the Huffington Post, "an unspoken truth for many divorced parents is that when their child is with their ex-spouse they feel some relief" from the intensity of parenting one-on-one.

Another overlooked benefit of divorce for children is that each ex-spouse may be more inclined to compliment the other. The distance of divorce often allows the space necessary to see the positive side of an ex-spouse, and give the ability to praise him or her to the kids. "Psychologist say that when you vilify your child's other parent, the child feels that vilification personally." Praising an ex-spouse (even if only for his or her parenting skills) can help to raise the esteem of a child from a divorced household.

Regardless of these important benefits, divorce is a complicated process that shouldn't be gone through alone. If you or someone you know is considering divorce, contact an experienced DuPage County family law attorney today.

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