THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE ON THE WELLBEING OF CHILDREN IN LIDETA SUB CITY ADMINISTRATION OF ADDIS ABABA: CHILDREN’S PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess and explore impacts of divorce on the wellbeing of children. To this end, descriptive survey method was employed. Data collection tools were questionnaires and semi structured interviews. Sources of data were fifty six children’s, Two experts from Lideta Sub City Women, Children and Youth Affairs office and Two experts in lideta first instant court social science department. Random sampling techniques were used to select the children, whereas purposive sampling was employed to select the expert personnel. The collected data were analyzed using percentage. The major findings are the following: There is a two-step divorce related service given by two government entities before and during divorce. The first is psychological counseling; mediation and reconciliation for couples who failed to resolve their dispute on their own. The second is providing advisory service to the court on which parent should retain the right to raise the children, and how often and when the other parent will visit them. Lack of facilities, manpower, budget and other inputs has negative impact on the implementation process and the follow-up. Gaps have been observed in the way files are handled. Divorce is usually followed by poverty or a significant reduction in income. Economic hardships could lead children to drop out of school or to move to schools with cheaper fees. Children experience stress, sense of separation, displacement and loss of the father’s or the mother’s care. The overall psychological impact of divorce could also manifest itself in the children’s decreasing academic performance, which in turn will affect their late personality and life. The parent who is allowed to keep the child will shoulder heavier responsibility. Non-custodial parents do not fare well with their children. Children report more distant relationships with their non-custodial parents. Based on these findings, conclusions were drawn and some feasible recommendations were made.