We always knew that high conflict divorces can cause extreme emotional harm to children. Now, we’ve learned that it can also cause physical harm that will go beyond the years of childhood and well into adulthood.
A study has been conducted which shows that there is evidence that a child’s health can be compromised by marital difficulties. The study also suggests that childhood adversity can disrupt the development of the stress response in children and increase the sensitivity or reaction to stressful circumstances later in life.
Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control has linked the increasing likelihood of stroke by 3 times the average in men who had experienced parents going through high conflict divorces in childhood.
I know that as Professional Family Mediators we are always preaching that mediation limits the amount of conflict when a couple is going through a divorce, but I often wonder how often the general public really takes it to heart and understands the effects. After reading this article, I wonder if the way to make divorcing couples understand this is to ask the question, “would you purposefully inflict a physical illness on your child that would stay with them into adulthood”? In essence parents engaging in conflict during a divorce are doing exactly that.
Don’t parent’s owe it to their children to make sure that they can be as healthy as possible both emotionally and physically? It’s so important that as a society, if divorce is going to be a part of the current norm, mediation must become the norm as well.
Click here for the entire article from the Huffington Post.
Roseann Vanella is a Professional Family Mediator and Founder of Advanced Mediation Solutions, www.advancedmediationsolutions.net, located at 3804 Church Rd., Mt Laurel NJ 08048, 856-669-7172 and has additional offices in Langhorne, PA and Philadelphia PA. Ms. Vanella is also a Professional Speaker with subject matter expertise on all types of Family Mediation including divorce and elder mediation.
Roseann’s experience and credentials alone set her apart from other professional mediators in the state. She has an extensive business and financial background, and worked for many years in a corporate setting. Roseann is also very personable, down-to-earth, and she is truly passionate about her work. Having been through a divorce herself and benefited from the advantages of mediation, Roseann brings a unique perspective along with the ability to remain impartial while deeply empathizing with what each party is going through.
Carmela DeNicola is a business and workplace mediator with over three decades of executive experience in the corporate world. Carmela handles all types of business and workplace mediation. She works with municipalities, schools, private companies, partnerships, non-profits, and any other type of entity. Carmela can be reached at cd@advancedmediationsolutions.net or 856-669-7172
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Really Good Post!! Family disputes such as divorce or separation can be an emotional and chaotic time of your life – especially when there are children involved. In divorce process children suffered most. So I usually guide people to think twice before taking divorce. Thanks for sharing such nice article.
Great post. Yeah divorce can be an ugly ugly thing. If only we lived in a perfect society where we didn’t need divorce.
I completely agree with your statement “Don’t parent’s owe it to their children to make sure that they can be as healthy as possible both emotionally and physically? It’s so important that as a society, if divorce is going to be a part of the current norm, mediation must become the norm as well.” In so many cases, these negative effects can be minimized strictly by how the parents choose to act and react.
This is a serious issue that you have chosen and it is appreciated and as you have said that mediation should be made a part of the divorce process so that all this do not affect the health of anyone whether it is the children or the adults related to the divorce process.