Creatives Oct-Nov 2019

How are they affecting your child’s mental health?
It is quite normal for parents to argue, but their impact on a child’s mental
health is quite extensive. Although parents try not to have a row in front of their
adolescents, sometimes, it is, in fact, inevitable.
In a research, it was deduced by the University of York that the children whose
parents are divorced are most affected by the arguments that led to the divorce,
rather than being affected by the annulment itself. Furthermore, in the research,
it was concluded that by witnessing a fight at home, the children are 30% more
likely to develop certain behavioral issues than those children with happily married
parents.
It is healthy and normal for parents to sometimes argue with each other. What
harms the child’s mind is the part where the argument is left inconclusive .
Children learn from this experience and sometimes are unable to have constructive
arguments. This affects their ability to resolve conflicts in their personal life.
As unbelievable as it may sound, children as young as six months show corporeal
symptoms such as having a higher pulse rate being in front of parents fighting,
whereas, their pulse rate is lower when any other adults are arguing.
These symptoms get worse as the child grows. An adolescent may show external
changes such as sudden waves of aggression and by becoming hostile and violent.
Some of the internal changes that take place are that children begin to suffer from
anxiety, depression and having low self-esteem. In extreme cases, however, the
child may also have suicidal thoughts.
To prevent taking multiple trips to the therapist, it is important for the parent(s)
to recognize the noticeable signs of mental instability. In a blog-post by National
Alliance on Mental Illness, it was said that the signs the children of different grades
displayed, required psychological assistance. According to the post, students
from kindergarten till the third grade blame their own selves or their misbehaviour
for the divorce. More signs include complaints of headaches and stomach
pains. With students from fourth to sixth grade, multiple signs can be observed,
concerning the abrupt rise in conflicts with peers and the sudden occurence of
anger, embarrassment or frustration. Moving towards older students until the
twelfth grade display extreme mood swings and demonstrate a lack of interest in
schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
By Damia Nauman
16 years old
LGS 55 Main, Lahore, Pakistan
Marital Issues?
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