Roles and Functions of Families: Divorce

Historically, there have been many twists and turns in views of divorce both by society and by individuals. Historically, writings tended to view the mother as the family member who suffered the greatest negative consequences. More recent research, by contrast, has found that it is more accurate to describe the father-child relationship as suffering the greatest negative consequences. This discussion focuses on the influence of divorce on the physical health and psychosocial adjustment of the children and fathers of divorce and closes with suggested reforms to attenuate these negative consequences. It also must be noted that there remains substantial debate among social scientists regarding all facets of divorce.