Divorce HarmfulWhen couples say their vows and get married, they think their marriage will last forever, but many marriages end in divorce. Divorce is an unplanned event in a family's life. Divorce affects each member of a family at different times and in different ways. Many children each year have to live with a divorced parent. Divorces have a negative effect on children. Divorce occurs when the marital union divides. (“Divorce” 7). Divorce is a very difficult thing to overcome. Many people don't understand how divorce affects families and the people who get divorced. There are many factors that contribute to affecting children who have experienced divorce: the age and gender of the child at the time of separation, the level of collaboration between the divorced and the intensity of the conflict within the family. These factors can affect the child's mental health and can also affect his or her academic performance. Poor attendance, declining grades, and an inability to concentrate are often warning signs that can manifest themselves in the classroom. Children of divorced parents may have a lower sense of psychological well-being than children raised with intact families. that a child may encounter include: disbelief and denial, sadness, loss, loneliness, depression, anger, anxiety, fear, relief and hope. Some children may experience long-lasting emotional effects into their adulthood that damage their ability to maintain relationships. The result of parental divorce shapes children emotionally and can impact self-esteem, future relationships, dating, and marriage (Armando Loomis and Booth 895+). Robert Sampson, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago, said: “A third of the school-age child...... middle of the paper ......eling and sharing as many thoughts or questions as possible with parents or with the school counselor. Parents need to listen to their children about their unique thoughts and feelings. It is also important for parents and school counselors to help children develop coping strategies to deal with their deep feelings about the divorce. Parents, children, teachers and school counselors must all work together to support the child through the stages of divorce to ensure academic, personal and social growth. It is critical that school counselors know the warning signs for children who are having difficulty adjusting to divorce. Group counseling is a helpful support mechanism for children experiencing family divorce. Some children may prefer one-on-one counseling where they will receive individual attention and may feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts