Whether you are considering a divorce, or have already begun the process, you may have more concerns and worries than you can count. If you have children, you may have decided that separating from your spouse is in their best interest, however you probably want to take steps to ensure that the transition is smooth for them and that you are looking after all their needs. A recent study performed at the University of Oslo in Norway found that children of divorce often lose their ambition to pursue a higher education.
Researchers elaborated on the suspected cause of this phenomenon. They suspect that when one parent is absent, the child loses a critical resource of emotional support, practical assistance, information, and guidance. Divorce typically deprives children of the opportunity to have a male role model. The absence of a father changes parent practices and the family’s involvement in educational activities. It is important to note that this does not need to always be the case. In certain situations, couples can agree to have each parent continue to play a critical role in a child’s life, even after a divorce.
Previously, researchers have examined how divorce affects educational attainment. This study is different, however, because researchers focused on how divorce affects educational ambition. To isolate the effects of divorce on ambition, researchers examined data collected from adolescents between the ages of 18 and 19. The first sample involved 1,861 young Norwegian men and women. The second sample involved 2,391 subjects.
Researchers found that children who experienced a late parental divorce were almost twice as likely to decide not to attend college as their peers from intact families. Study findings identify a correlation between divorce and becoming “undecided” as to future educational plans. Researchers sought to find a way to correct this problem, and have stated that methods that reduce the adverse influence of parental divorce on education should be in place to counter these negative effects. For example, appropriate child visitation times with both parents.
A new bill has been proposed in Kentucky that would, if enacted, cover the costs of community and technical college education for qualified students. Critics of this newly proposed legislation fear that it will only go so far in encouraging students to graduate, when research shows that more powerful factors, such as the findings of this new Norwegian study, may be at play in a child’s decision to attend college.
Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Consider Your Children’s Needs During a Divorce
Often, parents decide to separate because staying together is no longer healthy for themselves, their spouse, or their children. When you finally make the difficult decision to divorce in Maryland, the Towson divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles LLC can help make sure that your children’s needs are fully taken into account. With offices located in Hunt Valley, Pikesville, and Towson, we serve clients throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, Carroll County and Howard County, including Towson, Essex Columbia and Bel Air. Call us today at 443-589-0150 or contact us online to schedule your free confidential consultation.
