Divorce: Its Impact On Families And Children

A documentation study was conducted in Delhi to investigate the single parent families through divorce and influence of absent of one parent through divorce on children. The study investigated problems faced by these families in social, economic and emotional dimensions. The objective was to look at family dynamics and socialization pattern in single headed families. Data was obtained by using semi- structure interview schedule for both children and parent. Sample consisted of 20 single parent families which included 20 single parent and 20 children making a total sample of 40. The study was located in Delhi. The findings revealed that majority of the single parent have taken divorce as a positive decision of their life. All the parents have managed well the dual role and responsibility as bread winner, home manager and sole care giver to the children. There was no difference found in mother headed single family and father headed single family. All the single parents believed that divorce was a traumatic part of their life but its pain has decreased with time. All single parent families have developed strategies to cope with problems that occurred after divorce. Data reveals that mutual incompatibility, extra-marital affairs, drug addiction/ alcoholism, and dowry were among the main reason for divorce.