An in-depth and comprehensive summary of chapter 7.
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CHAPTER 7: VULNERABILITIES, RESILIENCE & RIGHTS OF CHILDREN:
VULNERABILITIES:
-Children are more vulnerable to negative circumstances than adults are.
-Due to their immature developmental status
-Do not have the same economic, social, political and legal power that adults have
-Children are usually dependent on people, institutions and systems that neglect or maltreat
them.
-Risk factors = Determinants that increase the possibility of an event or circumstance having a
negative effect on children.
FAMILY INFLUENCES:
A stable and emotionally supportive family life is associated with;
>Better school performance and better school retention
>Higher levels of self-esteem, self-confidence and future orientation
>Reduction in behavioural and psychological problems (aggression, substance abuse, crime,
depression)
>Higher levels of vitality
>Lower levels of stress-related illness
>Greater capacity to deal with hardships and crises
-It should be noted that young children worldwide grow up in greater variety of families than
ever before.
-Birth, adoption, fostering
-Intercourse or fertility treatment
-Families formed by marriage, remarriage, cohabitation, single-parent, child-headed
-Also, couples without children and people living alone
1. Divorce:
About 10% of children from intact homes have psychological, behavioural and scholastic
underachievement and interpersonal problems.
-Approximately 25% of children from divorced families have similar problems.
Approximately 70% of children from divorced families see divorce as an acceptable solution to
unhappy marriage compared to 40% of children in intact families.
-Also, children of divorced parents are more likely to get divorced.
The relationships between children and fathers are negatively affected by divorce.
-70% in divorced families vs. 30% of intact families.
, Children of divorced families often have lower levels of educational, occupational and financial
attainment than children from intact families.
Children of divorced families are more likely to reject religious involvement as adults.
Children’s reactions to divorce are determined by a variety of factors;
o The Degree Of Conflict Before & After The Divorce:
-The higher the level of visible conflict before the divorce, the lower the psychological well-
being of children and their adjustment to the situation.
-Criticizing and demeaning the ex-spouse in front of children (using the children as pawns) are
post-divorce factors that make it difficult for children to get over the family disruption.
o Stability After Divorce:
-If the child continues to live in the same house, attends the same school, has the same friends
=The emotional blow won’t be as large.
-If this is not the case, it could challenge the child’s self-confidence & self-esteem.
-Financial changes is often overlooked but it has a significant effect.
-Could result in serious stress and adjustment problems.
o The Nature Of The Parent-Child Relationship:
-Long-term involvement of a parent/parents in emotionally supportive ways helps the child
with adjustment to the post-divorce situation.
-The nature and quality of the interactions are just as important.
-A continuously good relationship with the parent who has left the home lessens the
effects of divorce.
o The Age Of The Child:
-Little is known about the effect of divorce on infants and toddlers.
-But there are indications that they may react through loss of appetite, an upset
stomach, crying and clinging behaviour.
-Children of 3-5 years old
-May believe they are the cause due to the egocentrism of their stage of cognitive
development.
-May fear being left alone or abandoned and may show regressed (baby-like) behaviour.
-May become uncooperative, depressed, angry, denial (behave as if there family is still
intact)
-Children 6-12 years old
-Especially experience difficulties coping
, -Old enough to realise what has occurred and experience the pain, sadness ad guilt (BUT
too young to understand or cope)
-May lead to grief, embarrassment, resentment, divided loyalties and intense anger.
-Strong desire for parents to reunite.
-Behaviour problems such as enuresis (bed-wetting) and conflict with authorities may
appear.
-Adolescents
-May experience anger, fear, loneliness, anxiety, depression, guilt.
-Feel that they are pushed into adulthood (new responsibilities)
-May feel loss of parental bonding, as well as support in handling their ow
developmental challenges (emerging sexual feelings)
-They start doubting their own ability to get or stay married.
-Behaviour problems such as conflict with authorities and even law intensifies
-Alcohol and drug abuse is also common.
o Level Of Social Support:
-A good support system = enhance children’s feelings of security ad belonging.
-An important countermeasure against the feelings of rejection.
-It also serves as an “information centre” where the child can get answers to questions.
-May comprise a wide variety of people.
o Information Given To Children:
-Children adjust better if they have the necessary information about the divorce.
-Uninformed children = distorted perception that will affect their adjustment.
-Children should know that they are still loved and that the divorce is not their fault.
-They should know what is going to happen to them (where they’re going to live, etc.)
-If they are involved in the legal battle, they should have information about the issues and their
consequences and be made aware of their rights.
-The amount of information given will be different for children of different ages.
-Information is conveyed in an understandable and empathetic way.
o Uniqueness Of The Child:
-Even children from the same family respond differently to their parent’s divorce.
-The unique personality and coping mechanisms may determine how they respond.
-Some children may become aggressive and rebellious while others may become depressed and
withdrawn.
-Some children will wear a proverbial “mask of bravado” that belies their underlying emotional
hurt.
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