Divorce can adversely affect a child, from their behavior, school, employment, relationships, and future marriage. There is a diverse set of factors that may affect how a child reacts to the divorce of his or her parents. These factors include "the age and sex of the child, the length of time of severe discord in the marriage, and the length of time between the first separation and the formal divorce. A key factor in how traumatic the divorce will be for the child, is how well the parents deal with the child's concerns, fears, questions, and anxieties" over the divorce (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2001, p.496). Additionally, the quality of a child's relationship with the parents prior to the separation or divorce may influence how the child reacts to the divorce.
Parent's involved in divorce usually want to save their children from enduring the pain and stressors that they themselves are feeling. Many times the parents choose to avoid the issues involved in divorce, in hopes of protecting their children, but this only adds to the ordeal. Parents should discuss the issues involved in divorce with their children, such as their fears, feelings of loss, and the tension between the parents, felt by the children. .
Among the biggest fears of children is the notion of change. When parents divorce, not only must they adjust to the new situations, but the children must learn to adjust as well. A child may have to relocate, change schools, adapt to new schedules, and adapt to the idea that both parents won't be around at the same time. The child may also be removed from their friends or relatives. Such drastic changes can be very traumatic for a young child, and may bring about feelings involving the loss of attachment. Children become very attached to the people in their lives, as well as their surroundings. A child who is no longer able to interact with "the other parent", siblings or even a pet as well as the possibly having to adjust to a new bedroom may understandably feel a deep sense of loss.