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New study finds that divorce affects children’s religion

On Behalf of | Mar 14, 2013 | Divorce

Parents in Ohio and throughout the U.S. often blame themselves for the hurt that children feel during a divorce. Though splits often cause stress and anxiety for parents and children alike, it seems that there may be more effects created by the divorce. According to a recent study, religion can become a casualty of the divorce. Researchers found that this was the case for children that went through a divorce involving two religious parents.

These individuals were twice as likely to leave the religion they were raised with as compared to individuals whose parents did not split. This departure did not always happen right away – in many cases, the children of divorce left the religion once they were adults. Authors of the study could only speculate on the reason this was but the data was clear: children of divorce were more likely to abandon the faith that was cultivated by their parents and their religion.

This was seen across all types of religion, making this a nondenominational phenomenon. One of the reasons that researchers suggested as the cause was that children saw their parents’ marriage as if it were ordained by God. Since the relationship ended, the children would be left to wonder what could last if a relationship blessed by God could not.

Another possible cause for the drop-off is that parents may not have been that religious in the first place, making their relationships and their dedications to a religion seem questionable in the eyes of their children.

Divorce often causes many issues, religion not being excluded. In order to keep the priorities of both parents in line, attorneys make sure to focus on what is best for the children. This makes the split easier to bear for the kids, something that many parents worry about before, during and after the divorce is finalized.

Source: U.S. News, “Study: Religious Parents’ Divorce May Cause Children to Leave the Church,” Jason Koebler, March 5, 2013

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