How Divorce Affects Women

Divorce presents many challenges.

Despite the fact countless couples around the globe decide to take the vows of matrimony "til death do us part," many of them will end in divorce. When divorce occurs, there are deep emotional, psychological and financial trauma suffered by wife, husband and children. Women often suffer more because of the weight of the unexpected responsibilities that fall on them, regardless of who is at fault.

Health

The amount of stress related to the dissolution of a marriage is overwhelming. From the moment a separation is decided upon, stress due to the decisions of separating custody, finances and possessions can be a continuous battle stretched over several years, depending on the amicability of both parties. This stress can translate into health problems such as depression, loss of sleep, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and obesity. Women's body's can be especially fragile in these times, and the added stress can contribute to emotional and physical breakdowns.

Time

Divorce can be a draining, time-consuming process. For a woman who is suddenly faced with the challenge of living alone and with or without children, she may find that her schedule is severely compromised. The majority of women have custody of their children, regardless if it is court mandated or not. The added burden of raising children alone can take away from much-needed time devoted to her own interests and activities that are central to her keeping her sanity and well-being.

Finances

Financially speaking, women are usually at a disadvantage. Lack of child support and alimony usually accounts for a woman's finances to be severely compromised. They often have to take on second jobs to be able to cover expenses for their family that take away from their time as a caregiver, which effects both the women and children negatively. Women give up work to raise children far more often than men do, therefore when divorce occurs, it is far more difficult for a woman to immediately replace the quality of life she and her children had grown accustomed to.

Emotions

Divorce, regardless of the cause or the person who initiates it, is devastating. Ending a romantic relationship can be a confusing, chaotic time filled with emotional outbursts ranging from extreme relief to incredible rage. Women are typically more in touch with their feelings and may experience a greater range of them outwardly. This can be difficult for the children, considering the majority of children live with their mothers through the stages of divorce and afterwards. The emotional effects of divorce may continue to evolve throughout one's lifetime if the feelings aren't dealt with properly.

Relief

Despite all the negative associations made with divorce, and the subsequent rebuilding of a life with all of the challenges of a single mother, there are positive effects. A feeling of relief is common in women who finally have escaped the chaos of a traumatic or chaotic relationship. It can also be a relief to remove one's children from a potentially emotional situation. After accepting life's new terms, many women may be thankful to be returning to a career, a neighborhood or a lifestyle they'd given up for their marriage.

References

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