Answer to Question 1
The effects of divorce on children range from the day-to-day functioning to long-term effects. Day-to-day activities are disrupted, with changes in which parent is present and whether the family does activities as a whole. There may be increased stress for the child if the parents do not get along and they have visible conflict. There may be reductions in the amount of time the children see their parents, both because the parent may be non-custodial, often the father, and also one or more parents may have to work more in order to maintain a standard of living. It is not uncommon for the family to be plunged into financial disarray or even poverty. Long-term effects may include a reduced self-esteem and also severe behavioral problems such as conduct disorders, drug abuse, and poor grades in school. Physical health may decline, with the first year following the divorce being the worst. Remarriage is common and children are often in step-family situations, which put them at greater risk for physical and sexual abuse.
Answer to Question 2
The development of the myelin sheath, which acts as an insulation for neurons, improves conduction of nerve impulses, making neural transmission more efficient. It is associated with increased voluntary control of motor behaviors and improvement of higher level mental processes.
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