How Staying in an Unhappy Marriage Can Affect Your Children

 Posted on January 31, 2019 in Divorce

Many times, the first thing on a parent’s mind when they get a divorce is how it can affect their children. Many people have said that staying together for the children is better than getting a divorce. There have been numerous studies on how divorce affects children and their well being, but their have also been many studies on how unhappy marriages affect children. Most of these studies have concluded that while a divorce is difficult for many children, staying in an unhappy marriage can be even more detrimental for children’s well being. Many times, the decision to divorce or not to divorce is made based on the children’s best interests. Here are just a couple of ways that an unhappy marriage can affect your children.

Constant Stress and Tension

If you are in a marriage where you and your spouse fight a lot, your child is experiencing some of that stress and the tension that the fights create. It is natural for children to internalize their parents, but when they internalize all of their parents’ fighting and conflict, that can lead to emotional, physical and social ailments, like depression or chronic fatigue. Even if you try to hide the fighting, children are very receptive and can sense you and your spouse's unhappiness.

Mood and Behavior Problems

Constant fighting and stress can cause your children to develop problems like chronic depression or behavioral issues. Often, children whose parents are in unhappy marriages tend to act out or misbehave as a way of expressing their feelings.

Low Self-Esteem

A home that has an abundance of tension and fighting can produce children who constantly question themselves and their actions. Children often internalize their parent's problems and blame themselves for the family's unhappiness. This can cause children to have low self-esteem and be uncertain about many things.

Discuss Your Options With a Park Ridge, IL Divorce Attorney

Making the decision to get a divorce is one of the biggest and most important decisions you might have to make in your life. It can be especially difficult if you are on the fence because of your children. Studies have shown that staying in an unhappy marriage can have negative effects on your children, but only you know your children best. At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we understand that making the decision to divorce is not taken lightly. Talking with an experienced Oak Ridge, IL divorce lawyer can help you make your decision. Call our office at 312-605-4041 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/201703/why-bad-marriages-are-worse-kids-divorce

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/7-ways-you-can-damage-your-kids-by-staying-in-a-bad-marriage_n_573b4845e4b0646cbeeaf9a9