When we walk down a flower-strewn aisle, we hope to have a happy marriage and raise children together in a wholesome family environment with both parents present and involved. Unfortunately, life’s path sometimes takes unexpected turns, and spouses choose different ways to move forward apart.
When divorcing spouses share children, the divorce doesn’t just happen to the couple, but affects the whole family. Children often suffer emotional consequences from divorce, but does this really lead to juvenile delinquency? Reach out to one of our divorce lawyers in Denver, CO to discuss your case with a legal professional today.
Studies Link Parental Divorce to Juvenile Delinquency
It’s difficult to explain divorce to very young children, who may react with tears, tantrums, and regressive behaviors. Older children and teens may show anger, cast blame, or take one parent’s side against the other. Unfortunately, studies show that children of divorced parents have a higher likelihood of developing delinquent behaviors, regardless of their age during the divorce.
One recent study examined 544 participants and confirmed the results of several earlier studies, showing that children of divorced homes have higher juvenile delinquency rates than children raised by married parents.
What Types of Delinquent Behaviors are Common In Children of Divorced Homes?
Juvenile delinquency behaviors spike in children of divorced households, with behaviors such as the following:
- Truancy
- Substance abuse
- Early sexual experimentation
- Tobacco use
- Curfew violations
- School disciplinary problems
- Disorderly conduct
- Minor theft and other criminal law violations
- Aggressive behaviors
Additional findings showed more delinquent behaviors in black and younger children than in white and older children.
How Does Parental Divorce Lead to Juvenile Delinquency?
When parents divorce, a child’s life may become less structured as they split their time between two separate homes. With only one parent in each home, rather than two, there’s often less supervision. Single parents may not be able to monitor an older child’s whereabouts while working.
Children of divorced parents may also be exposed to new step-siblings from different backgrounds and ages. Changes in parenting styles and the home environment may contribute to juvenile delinquency more than the emotional impacts of the divorce on the children.
Preventing Juvenile Delinquency After Divorce
Although delinquent behaviors are more common among children of divorced parents, it doesn’t mean that all children of split homes become juvenile delinquents. There are many children of divorced parents who thrive and become successful, well-adjusted adults. According to experts, divorced parents can minimize the risks of adverse behaviors in their children by doing the following:
- Communicating and compromising effectively to successfully co-parent following the divorce
- Minimizing conflict and avoiding bad-mouthing the other parent
- Avoid undermining the other parent’s authority
- Developing a strong support system through extended family and trusted friends to care for children and monitor their whereabouts when a parent is at work during their custody days
- Maintaining a strong family bond
- Providing their children with structured, monitored positive activities during school breaks and after school
- Taking preventative actions and early intervention methods if a child shows signs of difficulty adjusting to their new circumstances or exhibits delinquent behavior
Asking for help from close family members, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, helps provide a strong family structure where children feel safe, cared-for, and receive positive behavioral reinforcement. This is beneficial for minimizing the risk of delinquency and behavioral problems in children of divorced parents. Contact us at (303) 451-0300 today.