Practical Compromise During Divorce

Practical Compromise during Divorce

Robin Outlaw

BSHS/406

November 19, 2016

Paula Alvarez

Practical Compromise during Divorce

        In today’s society we have more couples who are raising families as divorced parents. These parents have to learn the art of compromise to create a new family unit and work towards raising happy, well-adjusted children. Divorce not only affects the couple, but the children, extended family, and friends of the couple. Couples who divorce need to learn to compromise to provide security for their children, keep extended family relationships intact, and family friends that can all work together for the good of the family unit.

Children

        When divorce occurs, it is usually the children who end up with the raw end of the deal. Parents who divorce with young children have to keep in mind how vulnerable young children are and the stability they need in order to succeed in life. Parents have to learn to co-parent and work with each other on custody and visitation arrangements. McGoldrick, Carter, Garcia-Preto (2011) states the presence of children, at any stage in the family life cycle process, requires that divorced parents restructure their lives in ways that allow children to continue their relationships with both parents (pg. 301). Divorced parents have to put aside their differences and work with their child’s interest in mind. To ensure a healthy transition parents should put their child first during this time and work with the other parent despite any hard feelings.  

Extended Family and Friends

Divorce also affects grandparents and extended family. These family members sometimes feel they have to choose sides and they may also lose contact with their grandchildren, if the divorce is not a smooth transition. According to McGoldrick, Carter, Garcia-Preto (2011) in angry divorces, kin often take sides with their biological kin, creating breaches in relationships with the children as well (pg. 306). The extended family should not have to lose contact with those in the family. The couple should work with the extended family to help ensure a smooth transition as it can allow the children to have a support system in place to help with the divorce. The extended family should also be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. They should not take sides or bash the couple.