Divorce
If you are writing anything about divorce, you first need to know how diovorce works in Australia. Basic information can be found at the Family Law Courts [http://www.familylawcourts.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/FLC/Home/Separation+and+Divorce/Divorce/].
You should also find out about consequences of divorce for parents such as child support obligations [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/cs4110]
The ABS [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Products/3310.0~2012~Chapter~Divorces?OpenDocument] has statistics about divorce rates in Australia. You should make sure you understand all their definitions [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40Sep+2010] before you start. If you are basing your research on people in the local area make sure you also look at the statistics that measure country of birth against divorce rates [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Latestproducts/3310.0Main%20Features22012?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3310.0&issue=2012&num=&view=] as you will need to account for the differences.
debates.org [http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-divorce-be-illegal] and this Compass episode [http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s341474.htm] lists some of the issues surrounding divorce today.
You should also find out about consequences of divorce for parents such as child support obligations [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/cs4110]
The ABS [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Products/3310.0~2012~Chapter~Divorces?OpenDocument] has statistics about divorce rates in Australia. You should make sure you understand all their definitions [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40Sep+2010] before you start. If you are basing your research on people in the local area make sure you also look at the statistics that measure country of birth against divorce rates [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Latestproducts/3310.0Main%20Features22012?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3310.0&issue=2012&num=&view=] as you will need to account for the differences.
debates.org [http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-divorce-be-illegal] and this Compass episode [http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s341474.htm] lists some of the issues surrounding divorce today.
Kids and Divorce
Things to think about:
Introductory information can be found at:
SBS Insight [http://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/tvepisode/kids-divorce] has an excellent episdoe in which children discuss their parents' divorce. It's the best startign point on this topic.
Herald Sun [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-true-impact-of-divorce-on-children/story-fni0fiyv-1226791995341?nk=88c019377fa05d0748ea93a299732eb7]. This is unreliable information because it is based on a survey that uses conmvenmience sampling (usually a biased sample) of the NETmums site (not proper academic research), but it will reveal alot of "accepted knowledge" of the impact of divorce.
The Family Law Courts [http://www.familylawcourts.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/FLC/Home/Publications/Family+Law+Courts+publications/FCOA_cds_parental_conflict_children] list key issues about parental conflict that impacts on children.
If parents create stable family situations rather than conflict situations after divorce, children can recover quickly.
The Department of Human Services page on divorce includes a game to teach kids about divorce [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/kids-world?utm_id=8] and a booklet for teenagers [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/cs1333].
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm36pa.html. The Kid's Helpline [http://www.kidshelp.com.au/grownups/news-research/hot-topics/shared-custody.php] also has information for children.
The Institute of Family Studies [http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm36pa.html] has a great article about the importance of positive contact with non-custodial fathers. This is also discussed in the Sydney Morning Herald [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/04/1070351723076.html?from=storyrhs
The Australian Psychological Society's Parenting after Separation [https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Parenting_separation_PP.pdf] gives a fantastic overview about how divorce impacts on children's emotional wellbeing.
The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children Annual statistical report 2014 children's Views about Parental separationChildren's view about Parental Separation [http://www.growingupinaustralia.gov.au/pubs/asr/2014/asr2014b.html] is part of a long-term study of australian Families.
This wonderful literature review [http://www.med.monash.edu.au/childwellbeingrc/childwellbeingliteraturereview.pdf] from a Monash University student gives you an idea of how the next part of your task should look. It also has excellent sources to search for at the local and state libraries.
- Children can be hurt before a divorce (all that conflict has a terrible effect on children), during the divorce proceedings (especially if there are arguments about child support, divorce settlements and the potential for part of the family to end up homeless) and after the divorce (if kids have to reorganise their lives between two homes, if parents talk badly about each other to the children etc.). Look at both socio-emotional and organisational impacts on children.
- Staying together can be just as bad for kids as the ongoing conflict (which can lead to divorce) can contribite to pyschological, emotional and/or physical abuse.
- We live in a patriarchal (=male-centred) society where the father is considered the head of the house. This means that there is a socially-accepted idea that a child without a father (a mother is more likely to recieve custody of children) is missing out. This implies that a woman cannot bring up a child alone and that all men make good fathers, neither of which is actually true.
- It is very hard to find research into the positive effects of divorce (escaping violence, stability affter conflict, loving stepparents, blended families, development of reslience etc).
- Make sure you consider this in your research to give a more balanced view of the situation.
- Some of the research is heavily biased (esp. if supported or reported on by religious institutions) or does not take into account the changing social acdeptance of divorce (Wallerstein's reseach [http://www.families.org.au/default.aspx?go=article&aid=925&tid=1] involved people whose families divorced inthe 1970s when a high social stigma was attached to divorce).
Introductory information can be found at:
SBS Insight [http://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/tvepisode/kids-divorce] has an excellent episdoe in which children discuss their parents' divorce. It's the best startign point on this topic.
Herald Sun [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-true-impact-of-divorce-on-children/story-fni0fiyv-1226791995341?nk=88c019377fa05d0748ea93a299732eb7]. This is unreliable information because it is based on a survey that uses conmvenmience sampling (usually a biased sample) of the NETmums site (not proper academic research), but it will reveal alot of "accepted knowledge" of the impact of divorce.
The Family Law Courts [http://www.familylawcourts.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/FLC/Home/Publications/Family+Law+Courts+publications/FCOA_cds_parental_conflict_children] list key issues about parental conflict that impacts on children.
If parents create stable family situations rather than conflict situations after divorce, children can recover quickly.
The Department of Human Services page on divorce includes a game to teach kids about divorce [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/kids-world?utm_id=8] and a booklet for teenagers [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/cs1333].
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm36pa.html. The Kid's Helpline [http://www.kidshelp.com.au/grownups/news-research/hot-topics/shared-custody.php] also has information for children.
The Institute of Family Studies [http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm36pa.html] has a great article about the importance of positive contact with non-custodial fathers. This is also discussed in the Sydney Morning Herald [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/04/1070351723076.html?from=storyrhs
The Australian Psychological Society's Parenting after Separation [https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Parenting_separation_PP.pdf] gives a fantastic overview about how divorce impacts on children's emotional wellbeing.
The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children Annual statistical report 2014 children's Views about Parental separationChildren's view about Parental Separation [http://www.growingupinaustralia.gov.au/pubs/asr/2014/asr2014b.html] is part of a long-term study of australian Families.
This wonderful literature review [http://www.med.monash.edu.au/childwellbeingrc/childwellbeingliteraturereview.pdf] from a Monash University student gives you an idea of how the next part of your task should look. It also has excellent sources to search for at the local and state libraries.
New Stuff for Jess
nFirst look at hte Introductory information bit at the top - Insight is the best place to begin, even though it's from 2009.
Using old info
- Make sure your stats are as up to date as possible! (older than 10 years isn't useful; less than 5 years is best)
- if you're just identifying things that need to be included in your study, old info may have some easily-digestible facts (and for this topic it the impact on wellbeing is unlikely to have changed)
stats on Marriage:
2015: Marriages nad Weddings in Australia [http://www.mccrindle.com.au/blog/2015/02/MarriagesinAustralia_MediaRelease_McCrindle.pdf]
Divorce in australia [https://aifs.gov.au/facts-and-figures/divorce-australia] divorce rate (divorce increasing; divorces with kids decreasing!)
Literture Review eg the Wellbeing of Children followign parental separation and divorce [http://www.med.monash.edu.au/childwellbeingrc/childwellbeingliteraturereview.pdf] Unfortunately the literature used is old, but it shows exactly how to write a review and most points are still salient.
Better Relationships: Separation and Divorce [http://betterrelationships.org.au/family-parenting/separation-and-divorce/] is created by the religious charity, anglicare. While there may be a bias (their aim is to help as a 'witness' about Jesus) in some areas of the site, this page has been written by their counsellors to help divorcing families and includes lists of the effects of well being on different age groups. This is fantastic for your research!
Parental Divorce or Death during childhood [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40Sep+2010]
some of this is summarised in this report from The Australian [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/broken-homes-can-disadvantage-kids-for-life-study-finds/news-story/2cd079c7be288455534e8e5c69f73800]
Parenting after Separation (2009) [https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Parenting_separation_LitReview.pdf] takes a psychological perspective and has a chapter on the effects for children. (the bit a bout the effects on parent is interesting just for background knowledge though)
Is sharing residensy better for children's mental health? [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/24/sharing-custody-childrens-mental-health-divorce-separation] summarises recent (nmon-australian) studies. You could compare your primary resource result though, and this article may trigger some questiosn for your survey.
austrlaian institute of family studies:
1991 data [https://aifs.gov.au/publications/family-matters/issue-30/divorce-change-and-children]
1993 data [https://aifs.gov.au/publications/family-matters/issue-36/well-being-young-people-different-family-circumstances]
Supporting children through Family change [https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/jrf/migrated/files/1842630857.pdf] This 2003 UK report has a good section on Factors which explain the effects on wellbeing - these explanations may still be relevant in Australia today.
Longterm effects
children after divorce [http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/22/magazine/children-after-divorce.html?pagewanted=all] reports on a longitundinal study of children of divorced parents, with some shocking results about future relationships discussed as case studies. This "sleeper effect" is similar in Australia:
Parental Divorce or Death during childhood [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40Sep+2010]
some of this is summarised in this report from The Australian [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/broken-homes-can-disadvantage-kids-for-life-study-finds/news-story/2cd079c7be288455534e8e5c69f73800]
Resource provision:
If you're looking at reouseces to address the problems you find (more for background knowledge or literature review than actual project in yours, Jess), Children and Families in Transition (2006) highlights the types of resources available/needed for divorcing families.
Using old info
- Make sure your stats are as up to date as possible! (older than 10 years isn't useful; less than 5 years is best)
- if you're just identifying things that need to be included in your study, old info may have some easily-digestible facts (and for this topic it the impact on wellbeing is unlikely to have changed)
stats on Marriage:
2015: Marriages nad Weddings in Australia [http://www.mccrindle.com.au/blog/2015/02/MarriagesinAustralia_MediaRelease_McCrindle.pdf]
Divorce in australia [https://aifs.gov.au/facts-and-figures/divorce-australia] divorce rate (divorce increasing; divorces with kids decreasing!)
Literture Review eg the Wellbeing of Children followign parental separation and divorce [http://www.med.monash.edu.au/childwellbeingrc/childwellbeingliteraturereview.pdf] Unfortunately the literature used is old, but it shows exactly how to write a review and most points are still salient.
Better Relationships: Separation and Divorce [http://betterrelationships.org.au/family-parenting/separation-and-divorce/] is created by the religious charity, anglicare. While there may be a bias (their aim is to help as a 'witness' about Jesus) in some areas of the site, this page has been written by their counsellors to help divorcing families and includes lists of the effects of well being on different age groups. This is fantastic for your research!
Parental Divorce or Death during childhood [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40Sep+2010]
some of this is summarised in this report from The Australian [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/broken-homes-can-disadvantage-kids-for-life-study-finds/news-story/2cd079c7be288455534e8e5c69f73800]
Parenting after Separation (2009) [https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Parenting_separation_LitReview.pdf] takes a psychological perspective and has a chapter on the effects for children. (the bit a bout the effects on parent is interesting just for background knowledge though)
Is sharing residensy better for children's mental health? [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/24/sharing-custody-childrens-mental-health-divorce-separation] summarises recent (nmon-australian) studies. You could compare your primary resource result though, and this article may trigger some questiosn for your survey.
austrlaian institute of family studies:
1991 data [https://aifs.gov.au/publications/family-matters/issue-30/divorce-change-and-children]
1993 data [https://aifs.gov.au/publications/family-matters/issue-36/well-being-young-people-different-family-circumstances]
Supporting children through Family change [https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/jrf/migrated/files/1842630857.pdf] This 2003 UK report has a good section on Factors which explain the effects on wellbeing - these explanations may still be relevant in Australia today.
Longterm effects
children after divorce [http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/22/magazine/children-after-divorce.html?pagewanted=all] reports on a longitundinal study of children of divorced parents, with some shocking results about future relationships discussed as case studies. This "sleeper effect" is similar in Australia:
Parental Divorce or Death during childhood [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40Sep+2010]
some of this is summarised in this report from The Australian [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/broken-homes-can-disadvantage-kids-for-life-study-finds/news-story/2cd079c7be288455534e8e5c69f73800]
Resource provision:
If you're looking at reouseces to address the problems you find (more for background knowledge or literature review than actual project in yours, Jess), Children and Families in Transition (2006) highlights the types of resources available/needed for divorcing families.