RJA #13b: Annotated Bibliography, Part 1

1. Manning, S. "Children of Divorce." Scholastic Update. 6 Sept. 1991: 13-15. Print.

This article shows two different view points on the effects of divorce on children, but the main argument of this article is that the effects of divorce on children can stay with them years beyond their parents actual divorce. Some experts believe that children deal with the stress associated with their parents' divorce in different ways and their problems cannot all be blamed on their parents' divorce. This article discusses the research done by known expert Judith Wallerstein and her study of 100 children over a ten year period. Wallerstein's study showed that "almost half entered adulthood as 'worried, underachieving, lonely, and sometimes angry ...'" Also, these children "tended to perform less well in school and had more behavioral and psychological problems than children raised by both biological parents" more than a decade after their parents' divorce. Of course, there are other experts who disagree with Wallerstein. Psychologist Robert Emery of the University of Virginia believes that children have "'a much higher level of coping [ability]'" and believes the majority of children "'can and will adjust to their parents' divorce.'" He believes divorce can be hard on children in the beginning but will do okay in the end. He says this can be accomplished by parents getting along, working together, and "remain[ing] warm, consistent, and authoritative in their discipline, and if there is economic stability" (emphasis added). The majority of experts tend to agree that the breakup of a family through a divorce has a greater impact on the children than it does on the parents. The majority of experts also agree that "children of divorce need greater social, financial, and psychological support."

This article is very useful because, as I said before, it address both sides of the argument that I address in my research. I believe this source is objective. It appears to come from a scholastic journal. I think because it presents both sides of the issue of the effects of divorce on children, it will fit well into my research and therefore, making this source very helpful. This source is also helpful because it introduces the concept of the "sleeper effect" which I don't believe I've seen yet in my other sources.

2. Jacobson, Linda. "Emotional Damage from Divorce Found to Linger." Education Week 16.37 (1997): 3. Print.

The main point of this article is that children experience the effects of their parents' divorce even in adulthood. This article addresses a study of children of divorce done by Judith Wallerstein, who is the "nation's foremost authority on divorce and children." Wallerstein believes that impact divorce has on a child builds up over time. Many children have relationship issues in early adulthood into their 30s including a fear of repeating their parents' mistakes and failing in their own relationships. Children of Divorce often experience a lower success rate in the area of education. Many do not graduate from college. Wallerstein states even though dealing with parental divorce is very hard on children, this does not mean they cannot be content with their lives.
The goal of this source is to highlight Judith Wallerstein's study and discuss the implication of divorce on education. This article has some useful information, but some is repetitive as Judith Wallerstein's study is mentioned in several sources. This source was helpful. It proves my theory that the effects of divorce can carry into adulthood.

3. Jenish, D'Arcy, and Driedger, Sharon Doyle. "Can Kids Cope?" Maclean's 107.25 (1994): 38. Print.

This article's main argument surrounds a survey of children showing that even though more than 80% of these children indicated that their parent's divorce "had either a positive impact or not effect on their education, personality, outlook on life and desire to get married," experts say that no matter how well these children are dealing with their parents' divorce approximately 20-50% of these children "will suffer from long-term trauma. There is a 50% chance that these children will experience divorce themselves. After a family break up, these children go from a normal home with two parents, to having "two houses, two bedrooms, two sets of clothes, two sets of toys and two sets of friends." Not all children of divorce will suffer from long-term trauma as some children are better able to cope than others. Some children of divorce may be better off if their parents' divorce when it involves a high conflict marriage. This article also points out the concept of "sleeper effect" introduced by expert, Judith Wallerstein. When children experience what is known as the "sleeper effect," this means that they appear to be fine during and after their parents' divorce and do not seem to experience any effects from the divorce until they are into their adulthood.

This article is useful and maybe more objective than my other sources. The goal of this source is to show that not all children suffer from their parents' divorce. This source concept fits well into my research as I can use it as a counter argument.

4. Lach, Jennifer. "The Consequences of Divorce." American Demographics 21.10 (1999): 14. Print.

This article addresses a study done by a college professor, Nicholas Wolfinger, that indicates that the rate of divorce for children of divorce is declining and this is an indicator that divorce is having less of an impact on children. Wolfinger believes this may be true because divorce is more "socially acceptable" and "no longer takes such a strong toll on kids." Because of this, Wolfinger believes children are "better equipped to succeed in their own marriages." Wolfinger also indicates that the rate of marriages among children of divorce is decreasing. These children instead are choosing cohabitation rather than committing to marriage. Lach points out this could be a reflection of "their declining faith in the institution of marriage."

This source is very useful. I like this article because the point of the article is to diminish the effects of divorce on children, but instead it proves my point that divorce does have a negative effect because these children of divorce now do not have faith in the concept of marriage. I think inadvertently, this article points out that the issue is not the fact that divorce is more acceptable but the fact that cohabitation is more acceptable. Because they can choose cohabitation over the commitment of marriage, they do not have to risk following in their parents' footsteps. They can just walk out the door if the relationship doesn't work out.

This source fits into my research because it not only proves my argument but shows another person's perspective on the issue and how they interpret these changes in marriage rates as opposed how I or another person could interpret them. This article does not change how I think about my topic.