In the last article posted by this blog, we considered how divorce can significantly affect children. As a San Diego Certified Family Law Specialist attorney for more than 30 years I have seen children hurt in the divorce process. However, I don't join in with those who say that divorce is bad and it must be stopped or made more difficult to obtain. Divorce is permitted because people are flawed. In some cases, people are bad or even evil. Divorce is a tool allowing correction and relief in these cases. The tool should be allowed even though its misused by some.
Approximately 30 years ago a psychologist, Judith Wallerstein, started conducting studies concerning children and divorce. Her studies became controversial when her opinions started to affect California divorce and child custody legislation and court decisions. Often her opinions were misunderstood leading to controversial results. However, all of these years later, she is still garnering attention regarding her views. The Huffington Post recently published an article by journalist Katie Hafner involving questions to, and answers from, Dr. Wallerstein regarding her twenty five year study of children involved in California divorces.
Judith Wallerstein is a psychologist. She is now 88 years old. She was a senior lecturer at the School of Social Welfare, UC Berkeley. She is shown in the video below providing thoughts, along with other professionals, as to how to make marriage better.
As stated in this blog’s last posting, divorce, when handled badly, can significantly impact children in a negative way. However, carrying a tray of glasses can also lead to disaster but that does not mean that people should not carry glass. Or drive cars; or perform brain surgery. It just means that we need to be aware. And careful. Possibly a narcissistic parent will never learn how his/her self focus is harmful to a child; however everyone else can gain this information and divorce, when necessary, and in a responsible manner. Filing a divorce petition is a significant act full of consequence.
The San Diego divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Thomas M. Huguenor handle divorce cases involving child custody, custody move away cases and other family law issues.
