n the school age children than the preschool and younger children. Boys are more problematic than girls at this age are and this is due in part because, ninety percent of children live with their mothers after a divorce (Teyber 12). This is a loss of same-sex parental figure for boys and, many out of home fathers do not assume an active roll in parenting. Problems for daughters tend to emerge in adolescence when they begin dating and exploring relationships. Adolescence is the beginning of ones independence. On one hand, these young people can be very helpful in these times of trouble by helping with the household responsibilities and providing stable relationships with their younger siblings. Heightened levels of maturity often stem from helping the family deal with the newly formed crisis. Generally, teenagers will cope with the divorce by distancing themselves from the problem and focusing merely on their own fate and futures. On the other hand, the initial feelings are of betrayal will cause some adolescents to engage in premature sexual relationships, become depressed, and even lose track of their goals for the future. Like the older school aged children, many of these children will be encouraged to take sides and take active rolls in parental conflicts.Adolescence is the age that is the most detrimental to girls. They often experience an emotional loss of their father, and many of them perceive it as rejection. Without regular attention from a man who is caring and loving a girls sense of femininity does not seem to thrive (Kalter 4).However, the main concern for the most adolescents is themselves and, how this going to affect their chance to go to college and their ability to have a good marriage in the future. The first two years after the separation seem to be the hardest, but many times there can be factors that affect the rest of ones life. The long-term effects of divorce tend to be more adverse than the short-...
