Sharon Keating was worried about her kids when she got a divorce. Her daughter, says, "I was feeling.., like down and sad and even though I didn't really show it."
Judith Wallerstein says problems from divorce can stay for many years. They can show up when the kids are adults. As adults the kids have trouble.
Wallerstein studied 93 children over a generation. The results can only be found in her book.
She says children of divorce are more likely to have problems with drugs. They are far more likely to seek therapy. About 40-percent of them do not marry. Their marriages fail at nearly twice the usual rate. It is hard for them to trust. They are afraid of failing.
Critics say Wallerstein had too few children in her study. Other things may be the cause of the kid's problems. The study does not compare kids from divorced families with kids from "healthy" families.
Wallerstein's families divorced a generation ago. Times have changed. People feel different about divorce. Today programs like Kid's Turn try to lessen some of the effects of divorce with family counseling. Talking about their feelings helps the kids get through it.
Since they know more about the problems, maybe the kids will be able to handle it.
31. Children of divorce ______.
A. are always happy
B. Sometimes feel sad but don't really show it
C. are not affected
D. are always very angry