Divorce and Female Children

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer looks at how children are affected by divorce and focuses on the effects on girls. The writer notes that in many instances female adolescents are adversely affected because of conflict in the divorce process. The writer points out that when this conflict occurs the female youth can react by becoming sexually active, abusing substances or having thoughts of suicide. These circumstances are the result of anxiety and/or depression that must be treated in order for the child to overcome her ordeal successfully. The writer maintains that the most effective manner of treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which may be used in conjunction with prescription medications, to aid the adolescent in dealing with the devastation of the life situation. The writer concludes that this treatment, coupled with support systems through family, friends and education, can allow the youth to gain new insight into the situation and once again become a self-confident and fully functioning individual.

Outline:
Introduction
The Issue
Mental Disorder
Treatment Recommendations/Interventions
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In these cases, instead of the child becoming overly socially active, the child closes herself off from the world, to include peer groups, family members and teachers. The longer that the conflict exists and is elevated, the more deeply into depression the youth becomes and the greater the risk there is of suicidal thoughts.
"This information indicates that when conflict exists between parents involved in divorce female adolescents are adversely affected. The degree to which these youth respond to the conflict will depend on the extent that the child is drawn into the issue and how long the conflict occurs. What is known, however, is that anxiety and depression can create scenarios in which teen females risk disease, pregnancy and death. The severity of these risks calls for an examination of the appropriate mental disorders that are cited and the treatments that will assist this population for the future."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anxiety disorders. (2007). Mental Help. Retrieved July 10, 2007, from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=436&cn=1
• Black, K., and Stevenson, M. (1996). How divorce affects offspring: A research approach. Boulder: Westview.
• Depression. (2007). Mental Help. Retrieved July 10, 2007, from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=438&cn=5
• Dornbusch, S., and MacCoby, E. (1996). Adolescents after divorce. Cambridge: Harvard.
• Kelly, J., and Wallerstein, J. (1996). Surviving the break-up: How children and parents cope with divorce. New York: Basic Books.

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