When your Aunt Mrytle learns that you are taking this class, she ...

[ap345]

When your Aunt Mrytle learns that you are taking this class, she asks you what are the effects of divorce on children in middle childhood. After reading this chapter you know the best answer is it depends. Upon what variables does your answer depend? Use specific findings from the chapter.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain the rationale for using a family systems approach to studying relationships in middle childhood. Using examples from either how parents monitor digital media use, or adjustment after divorce, explain the family systems perspective.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[hollysheppard095]

Answer to Question 1

The effects of divorce depend on: the age of the child, school-age children are more cognitively capable of processing the causes and consequences of divorce than preschool children; gender, males have more difficulty adjusting, particularly if they do not live with same-sex parent; personality and/or behavior problem-children have more difficulty adjusting to divorce; relationships with parents, having a good relationship with a parent before the divorce and more contact with non-custodial parent after the divorce helps children adjust better; support systems, having extended family, teachers, church members, and peer networks are helpful in the aftermath of divorce.

Answer to Question 2

The family systems approach allows for the complexity and bidirectionality of influence that has been found in family interactions and that the family's role in development is better understood as systemic. The internet or divorce example should include some discussion of the spousal, parental, and sibling subsystems as well as how equilibrium and boundaries apply in each case.