Children's Impact on the Parental Decision to Divorce

Although many theorists and researchers have examined variables related to divorce, little attention has been given to how children may affect their parents' decision to divorce. Since over 60% of divorces involve children, the popular notion that they prevent divorce should be reexamined. The evidence indicates that in some instances children may facilitate the parental decision to divorce. Both theoretical formulations and empirical evidence are considered in assessing children's impact on divorce, and a model conceptualizing these effects is presented. Implications for parents, family practitioners, and researchers are discussed.