Northern Ireland's divorce culture is different from that of other parts of the United Kingdom, and its support services for children from divorcing families are underdeveloped. This study explored young people's experiences of the divorce process and the help provided by family, friends, and professionals. Thirty-seven young people ages 12 to 18 responded to interview questions. From their perspective, the separation/divorce process was a lengthy one, frequently underpinned by a narrative of acrimony and violence. Extended family and peers were important sources of social support. There was little evidence of productive alliances with siblings. Nineteen of the teenagers had used a specialist counseling service; they were very positive about this service, but their experiences of other services were more mixed. These findings suggest the need for a more structured and coordinated approach to service provision for children and young people.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Amato, P. R. (1994). Life-span adjustment of children to their parents' divorce. Future of Children, 4, 143-164.
2.
Archbold, C. , McKee, P., & White, C. (1998). Divorce law and divorce culture: case of Northern Ireland. Child and Family Law Quarterly, 10.
3.
Boldero, J. , & Fallon, B. (1995). Adolescent help seeking: what do they get for and from whom?Journal of Adolescence, 18, 1-17.
4.
Buchanan, C. , Macoby, E., & Dornbusch, S. (1991). Caught between parents: Adolescents' experiences in divorced homes. Child Development, 62, 1008-1029.
5.
Cairns, E. (1991). Is Northern Ireland a conservative society? In P. Stringer & G. Robinson (Eds.), Social attitudes in Northern Ireland (pp. 49-73). Belfast, Northern Ireland: Blackstaff.
6.
Coleman, J. , & Hendry, L. (1990). The nature of adolescence. Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
7.
Crockett, M. , & Tripp, J. (1994). The Exeter Family Study: Family breakdown and its impact on children. Exeter, UK: University of Exeter Press.
8.
Department of Health . (1996). Focus on teenagers: Research into practice. London: HMSO.
9.
Department of Health and Social Services Northern Ireland . (1996). Promoting social welfare: Annual report of the chief inspector, Social Services Inspectorate. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Author.
10.
Emery, R. , & Forehand, R. (1994). Parental divorce and children's well being: A focus on resilience. In R. Haggerty, L. Sherrod, N. Garmezy, & M. Rutter (Eds.), Stress, risk and resilience in children and adolescents (pp. 64-99). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
11.
Fawcett, M. (1999). What hurts? What helps? A study of needs and services for young people whose parents separate and divorce. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Relate.
12.
Fawcett, M. , & Reilly, I. (1996). Relate Teen—Helping young people affected by parental separation and divorce. Child Care in Practice, 2(3), 67-76.
13.
Hethrington, M. (1989). Coping with family transitions: Winners, losers and survivors, Child Development, 60, 1-14.
14.
Jeffries, J. (1996). The family circumstances of children in the UK: Review of literature relevant to family functioning and child care in Northern Ireland. Paper commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Services Northern Ireland. University of Southampton, UK.
15.
Johnston, J. (1994). High-conflict divorce. Future of Children, 4, 165-182.
16.
Kelly, G. , & Pinkerton, J. (1996). The Children (Northern Ireland) Order (1995): Prospects for progress? In M. Hill & J. Aldgate (Eds.), Child welfare services: Developments in law, policy and practice. London: Jessica Kingsley.
17.
Mabey, J. , & Sorensen, B. (1995). Counselling for young people. Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press.
18.
Maclean, M. , & Wadsworth, M. (1988). The interests of children after parental divorce. International Journal of Law and the Family, 2, 155-166.
19.
McCarthy, P. , Walker, J., & Kain, J. (1998). Relate Counselling in Northern Ireland: What do the clients think?Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK: Newcastle Centre for Family Studies.
20.
McCoy, K. , & Nelson, M. (1983). Social services departments and the Matrimonial Causes (NI) Order. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Department of Health and Social Services.
21.
McWilliams, M. , & McKiernan, J. (1993). Bringing it out in the open: Domestic violence in Northern Ireland. London: HMSO.
22.
Mitchell, A. (1984). Divorce and children (Highlight No 93). London: National Children's Bureau.
23.
Mitchell, A. (1985). Children in the middle. London: Tavistock.
24.
Monteith, M. , & Pinkerton, J. (1997). Family, friends and neighbours. In L. Dowds, P. Devine, & R. Breen (Eds.), Social attitudes in Northern Ireland (pp. 87-101). Belfast, Northern Ireland: Appletree.
25.
Montgomery, P. , & Davies, C. (1991). A woman's place in Northern Ireland. In P. Stringer & G. Robinson (Eds.), Social attitudes in Northern Ireland (pp. 74-95). Belfast, Northern Ireland: Blackstaff.
26.
Peyton, L. (1994). Provision for young people in Northern Ireland who are experiencing parental separation and divorce. In M. Fawcett & K. Lewis (Eds.), The effects of separation and divorce on children and young people (pp. 29-34). Belfast, Northern Ireland: Relate.
Richards, M. (1994, July). The interests of children at divorce. Paper presented at the International Conference Families and Justice, Brussels, Belgium.
29.
Robinson, G. , & Devine, P. (1995). Family mediation service, client satisfaction survey 1994. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Relate.
30.
Rodgers, B. , & Pryor, J. (1998). Divorce and separation: The outcomes for children. London: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
31.
Simpson, B. , McCarthy, P., & Walker, J. (1995). Being there: Fathers after divorce. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK: University of Newcastle Relate Centre for Family Studies.
32.
Tugendhat, J. (1990). What teenagers can tell us about divorce and stepfamilies. London: Mandarin.
33.
Walker, J. , & Hornick, J. (1996). Communication in marriage and divorce: A consultation on family law. London: BT Forum.
34.
Wallerstein, J. (1997, June). The long term impact of divorce on children: A first report from a twenty-five year study. Paper presented at the second World Congress on Family Law and the Rights of Children and Youth, San Francisco.
35.
Walzac, Y. , & Burns, S. (1984). Divorce: The child's point of view. New York: Harper & Row.
