MARITAL SEPARATION AND CHILDREN: SOME PROBLEMS OF METHOD AND THEORY

Abstract

It is estimated that more than a quarter of British marriages are likely to end in divorce and that about two thirds of these couples will have children living with them. Thus the experience of a parental divorce is commonplace for large numbers of children. For this reason and because of the widespread belief that divorce and marital separation are the cause of many social, psychological and medical problems, it is of some importance that we understand how children are affected. However, though much is written about divorce and children, there is a great lack of evidence derived from scientific study. Most of what is said in public discussions either comes from the experience of a few who may or may not be typical or are the expression of beliefs which may have more to do with the hopes and fears of the community in general than the experiences of those who go through a divorce.

Citation

Richards, M.P.M. (1982), "MARITAL SEPARATION AND CHILDREN: SOME PROBLEMS OF METHOD AND THEORY", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb020824