Should You Stay Together for the Kids?

on June 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM

staying together for the kids

A new study from Cornell University (via Babble's Strollerderby) says that staying together for the kids (instead of getting a divorce) isn't always the best thing for them...

The study looked at teens in almost 2,000 households. It reports that adolescents living with parents who frequently argue are more likely to "drop out of school, have poor grades, smoke, binge drink, use marijuana, have early sex, be young and unmarried when they have a child and then experience the breakup of that relationship."

The study recommends that policy initiatives aimed at promoting marriage should be aware of how variation in marriage—whether it's high-conflict or low-conflict—affects children's well-being.

Did you -- or are you -- staying together for the kids' sake? Ordo you know another couple who is? Are the kids benefitting, or is this study on to something?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: behavior

Comments (3)

milmiracle

on Jun 2, 2009 at 3:55 PM

True. I don't advise anyone to do it. If u get an inkling to leave u will probably do it. So maybe sooner is better than later for everyone involved.

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RanaAurora

on Jun 2, 2009 at 4:59 PM

As Dr. Phil puts it, "It's better to be from a broken home than in one."

Children will learn what a healthy relationship looks like from their parents. If you're not in a healthy marriage, get OUT of it. They'd rather have two healthy, happy parents who are separated than two unhealthy, fighting parents who are together.

babyboomboom

on Jun 2, 2009 at 6:34 PM

My parents stayed together for the kids and now as an adult all I remember about my childhood is fighting, abuse and arguing. In high school I felt so depressed because of my parents always arguing and fighting and telling me that I was worthless I attempted suicide. Parents should NEVER stay together for the kids.