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How divorce affects teenagers

On Behalf of | Jun 4, 2021 | blog, family law |

Millions of people get married every year in New Jersey and around the world. Sadly, many marriages end in divorce every year as well. Everyone knows that divorce is difficult, but some people may not realize the unique effects that a divorce has on teenagers. Here are some of the ways that teenagers in New Jersey get affected by a divorce.

Mental effects

People assume that because teenagers are only a few years away from adulthood, that getting a divorce won’t have an impact on them. Truth is, children of all ages get affected when their parents get a divorce, they just handle and express it in unique ways. When a teenager finds out that their parents could be separating, it could lead to rebellious behavior and feelings of betrayal.

This rebellious behavior can manifest in multiple parts of their life. They may start skipping school or stop doing their homework, with results in their grades dropping. They may also act out in school, leading to punishments such as detention or suspension.

Not only that, but they could also become more combative and argumentative with their parents. In their mind, if one of their parents wants a divorce from the other, that means that they are betraying and ruining the family. This can lead to a lot of anger and frustration from the teenager.

Blaming themselves

Another way that a teenager could process their parents getting a divorce is that they start blaming themselves. They might feel that they are the reason that their parents are separating. They may start thinking that if they were a better son or daughter, their parents would be happier and will stay together.

If you are getting a divorce and have a teenaged child, you need to be there for them and let them know that is not their fault. They may try to pull away, but it’s crucial that both parents express that they will still love their children, whether they are married or not.