The reaction of adolescent boys and girls to the divorce of their parents

This study sought to determine in what ways, if any, the reactions of adolescents boys to the divorce of their parents differed from the reactions of adolescent girls. Second, it examined which reactions to the divorce were most common among middle class, white adolescent children. A 99‐item questionnaire was used to tap these reactions. The results suggested no difference in reaction between boys and girls in this sample. In addition, a review of the items suggested the sample as a whole did not react to the divorce in a particularly negative fashion. While they would rather their parents had resolved their marital difficulties in another way, on the whole they reported that their parents’ decision was probably a sensible thing. The subjects tended to see themselves as having to mature faster and as having to assume greater responsibilities as a result of parental divorce but did not feel they were adversely affected in peer relationships, or in their school or community activities.