Lastly, the most common reason for lack of parental involvement after divorce is the attitude the parents have toward each other. Both parents must decide if they are willing to cooperate with one another in spending time and being involved with the child. Post-divorce conflict between the two parents will play the main role in how a child stays in close relationship with his/her parents.
While divorce can truly affect the psychological behavior of a child, the gender of the child plays a huge role in the way divorce can affect the child's behavior. " Older studies showed boys had greater social and academic adjustment problems than girls. New evidence indicates that when children have a hard time, boys and girls suffer equally; they just differ in how they suffer" (Corcoran). Many sources indicate as boys of divorce suffering far more than girls of divorce for the obvious reason that boys externalize their problems as oppose to girls having more internal problems that may not be seen as clearly as boys. Boys are more externally symptomatic than girls; they act out their anger, frustration, and hurt. As it was stated earlier, children may begin to be disruptive and cause problems like fighting, vandalism, and other difficult behaviors. These reactions to divorce are more common in boys. A reason for the violent or disruptive behavior could be a reflection of how his/her parents act towards each other in the moment of conflict and high emotions toward each other. The Journal of Marriage and The Family, vol. 50 states that boys of divorced parents have a low probability of ever getting married. This low probability of marriage for boys could be due to the post-divorce living arrangements that are common in most divorced families. In most divorced families, it is common that the mother receive custody of the child/children. "While custodial mothers provide girls with same-sex role models, most boys have to adjust to living without the same sex parent" (Journal of Marriage and The Family, vol.
