A recent study by the University of Oslo in Norway reveals that for children, the adverse effects of divorce can linger for many years. Researchers say that going from a two-parent household to a single-parent household diminishes educational ambition drastically in some cases. Children who were otherwise college-bound were found to be twice as likely to enter the workforce following parental divorce and instead declare themselves undecided about any further academic pursuits, according to the University of Oslo.
The study examined two samples of teenaged Norwegians and encompassed 4,252 subjects overall. In 2007, a study conducted by Canadian researchers reached a similar conclusion, specifically that the break-up of a family unit often led college-aged children to abandon their dreams of completing their secondary education. According to Somerset divorce lawyers, although both studies propose no solutions to the problem, couples who are contemplating divorce could mitigate the damage to their children with successful co-parenting.
To that end, sociologists have long maintained that children benefit most when everyday parenting opportunities, such as school pick-up and drop-off, help with homework, and attendance at extracurricular activities are divided as equally as possible. Although one parent will in all likelihood receive primary physical custody, keeping the non-custodial parent active and involved in a child’s life minimizes the sense of loss for children. For this reason, it is crucial that a divorcing couple find a way to put their differences aside and work together for the betterment of their children. If there is no evidence of unfit parenting or child abuse, a non-custodial parent’s role should be maximized whenever possible when drafting a co-parenting plan. If children feel that both parents are invested in their future, they are more inclined to set aggressive academic goals and then see those goals through to completion, according to the University of Oslo study.
Divorce agreements must be drafted carefully, with a focus not only on what children need now, but also what they may need in the future. Somerset divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Kisha M. Hebbon understand the unique challenges facing divorcing parents, and we will work hard to ensure an outcome that all parties find fair. Contact us online or call 732-633-2224 to schedule an appointment at our Somerset, New Jersey offices. We represent clients throughout New Jersey including Somerset County, Middlesex County, Union County and including but not limited to the towns of Somerset, Franklin, Bridgewater, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Plainfield, Edison, Metuchen, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Old Bridge, Rahway, Linden, Elizabeth, Cranford, Summit, Union, Clark, Elizabeth, Berkeley Heights, and Scotch Plains.
