The Impact of Divorce on Children

From: The Longevity Project
Drs. Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin
http://www.howardsfriedman.com/longevityproject

1. Children from divorced families died almost five years earlier than those from intact families [page 80]

2. Facing parental divorce during childhood was the single strongest social predictor of early death, many years into the future [p. 80] 

3. Having one’s parents divorce during childhood was a much stronger predictor of mortality risk than was parental death [p. 80]

4. The experience of parental divorce was strongly linked to earlier mortality from all causes, including accidents, cancers, and cardiovascular disease [p. 82] 

5. For boys whose parents divorce, the risk of dying from accidents and violence was particularly robust, as they grew up to be more reckless [p. 82]

Study Demonstrates Reduction in Military Divorce Due to Marriage Education

Parental Divorce Reduction Act

• The Parental Divorce Reduction Act is a new proposal to reduce unnecessary divorce.
• A broad consensus of studies finds that divorce has serious negative lifelong psychological consequences for children, and costs taxpayers billions of dollars annually. A significant number of these divorces are unnecessary. The goal of this Act is to reduce "unnecessary" divorces where minor children are involved.
• Before filing for divorce, parents of minor children will be required to participate in four to eight hours of face-to-face divorce education classes. The classes will provide information on the effects of divorce on children and adults and teach research-based communication and other relationship skills that help strengthen marriages.
• After completing the classes, parents will need to wait an additional eight months before they may file for divorce, a period that may serve as an opportunity for reflection and reconciliation.
• Exceptions are made for a spouse who is physically abused, abandoned for eighteen months, married to a partner who is incarcerated for five years, or married to someone addicted to alcohol or drugs who refuses to seek treatment and rehabilitation.
• The legislation is budget neutral, requiring the divorcing parties to pay for the cost of the divorce education. TANF funds, when available, may be used to help defray the divorce education fees for the indigent. The cost to the couple should be modest and not exceed $100-200.
• Online divorce education modules will be made available for persons in rural areas or elsewhere who do not have access to face to face divorce education.