“Only God decides”: young children’s perceptions of divorce and the legal system

Title"Only God decides": young children's perceptions of divorce and the legal system
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsPruett, K. D., and M. K. Pruett
OBJECTIVE: To describe research on perceptions of children aged 6 and younger from 21 families of their parents' divorce, of its impact on their families, and of legal officials. METHOD: Semistructured play interviews were conducted during home visits as parents were conjointly interviewed as part of a larger study on divorce in legal context. RESULTS: Children had much mis-information about divorce as an event and process. What they did know was often inappropriate, frightening, and confusing. They resented how the process "ruined their parents' being friends any more" and proposed reforms based on their wishes and observations. CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness is needed of the child's desire to be heard during the process, to feel safe and less lonely, and to stay in touch with both parents and extended families. Age-appropriate explanations of psychological and legal aspects of the divorce process are likely to support children's positive adjustment and mental health.
Title "Only God decides": young children's perceptions of divorce and the legal system
Publication Title J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
Publication Type Journal Article
Published Year 1999
Authors K.D. Pruett; M.K. Pruett
Accession Number 10596255
Number 12
ISBN Number 0890-8567 (Print)<br/>0890-8567 (Linking)
Grant List
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