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The effect of divorce on teenagers:

Blanked out, that is precisely what teenagers feel when their parents announce their divorce. It has been confirmed time and again that teenagers feel left out when their parents start the divorce phases. They also think that parents ought to ask for their child's opinion before actually going to through with it. But, in most cases, the outlook of the teen will not affect the parents' point of view, and thus, the divorce will be proceeded with. Parents believe that time will help the teen manage with what's happening, judging on the teens opinions, the parents were wrong.

In some cases though, teenagers will be pleased when their parents declare their divorce. That is because too much fury and disagreements are going on at home, that the teenagers will feel comfortable when it's all over and will agree that the divorce is probably a good idea, in which case, depression and anger is sometimes avoided.

After the divorce, for a couple of month usually, parents should try to be as close and united around the teenager as they were before the divorce, occasional dinners and lunches as a family without fathers girlfriend or mothers boyfriend should also help the teenager feel like everything is normal, and not much has changed. Parents should also avoid letting the teenager feel like he is the cause of the divorce, which results in melancholy and sorrow.

The teenager should also try to understand the parents side of the story, but parents should steer clear from blaming their partner for what happened, and keep the story as balanced as possible so the teenager will not blame any of the two parents for what happened, and hold a grudge against him.

Now for some teenagers, the result of divorce could be really fatal, as it could lead to drug or alcohol abuse, stealing or mugging, and murdering - worst case scenario - so, as an individual advice, even if everything looks okay, I believe that the teenager should see a psychiatrist, as soon as he hears about the divorce.

As for the custody of the child, the teenager should probably spend equal time at the father's house, and the mothers house, that way he will not favor any part of his parents and vacations should also be equally shared, as for Christmas eve and day, and New Years, it is preferable that both parents be in attendance and not spend a holiday with the mother, and just get a letter from the father.

Learn more about this author, Andy Abi Haydar.
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