Is It Better to Untie the Knot or Let it Rot? 

Post date: May 14, 2024

By Skylar Soltis

In 2021, there were about 690 thousand divorces in the United States, but are there more families that stay together solely because of their kids? Many families have different opinions about officially “untying the knot”. Some families have beliefs that disagree with the concept of divorce, so they push through to hang on to the marriage. However, there are some families that don’t get legally separated, but will mutually decide to “break things off”. Divorce can have a negative effect on children in many ways, so there are some parents that want to be in their kids’ lives and decide that it is better for them to live together, and fight through their problems to save their kids from having to pick a side. So in the end, are the effects of divorce enough to hang onto a broken relationship?

Divorce is a complex and emotionally draining experience for any family, and its impact on children cannot be dramatized. The most significant effect that can be endured from divorce is the emotional damage and feeling like a loss of stability. Moreover, many children may find themselves in the middle of their parents’ conflicts where most of the time they feel like they have to pick a side. When children grow up with their parents together they feel secure. If their parents decide to split, the familiar family structure that was once there is shattered. According to the Owenby Law Team, children of divorced parents are 50 percent more likely to develop health problems. Academic performance can also suffer in the aftermath of divorce. The level of stress increases while the comprehension and academic achievement decreases. When a child’s stability is pulled out from under them, their focus is heavily decreased and could cause the child to fall to unhealthy habits of recovery. 

Despite the difficult challenges that come along with divorce, children can be resilient and can understand this separation with the right support system and help. It is important that if parents  decide to push through with divorce that they put a strong focus on their children and help them push through such a difficult time. Depending on the situation, “untying the knot” may be for the better, but it is extremely important to watch  children’s behavior and see what the parents need to do to make sure they still feel as stable and structured as possible. All in all, many divorces happen every year, and it is important to take each situation into consideration when making the final decision of officially splitting apart. While many people may agree with my beliefs on the topic, assessing your family and their decisions is what will make the final decision.