This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Published on July 16, 2019, a study by Psychology Today highlights the devastating impact of parental conflict on children.
As a child, witnessing arguments between parents can be unsettling, and the fear of separation or divorce can be overwhelming. In today's society, where separations and divorces are common, it's essential for parents to recognize the effects of their conflict on their children.
Children are highly perceptive and can pick up on even the slightest cues, such as a sneer or snide remark, or silent treatment. This can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety, worry, sadness, and in extreme cases, depression. These emotions can affect children from infancy to early adulthood.
As a result, children may adopt certain behaviors to cope with these feelings, including:
- Throwing tantrums
- Being unusually clingy
- Refusing to go to school
- Eating excessively
- Overdoing it with video games
- Blaming themselves for the conflict
- Feeling stressed due to emotional responsibility
A high-conflict home can be a toxic environment for children. Parents must strive for a healthy relationship where disagreements are settled away from their children. This will enable children to grow up in a peaceful home, learning how to deal with conflict in a healthy manner.
