By Sarah Guest and Michaela Leggitt

We normally associate divorce with unhappiness, hurt and feeling unloved. Despite the negative outcomes associated with it, for many young people it’s not all bad. There are many positive sides, which get overlooked because generally the media like to focus on the more dramatic sides. This can leave young people who may be about to experience it over worried about the long term outcomes. Sarah Guest gives us the positive sides of divorce.

No one wants their parents to separate, but it happens… When I was 11 my parents broke the news to me that they were separating and my dad was moving out. At the time, I remember feeling upset and crying.However, over time I got used to the fact and started to see the positive sides. Packing up and moving from house to house was annoying at first, but over time it became a natural part of my life. As I have grown older I understand it was the best thing to happen and we are all much happier now.

Here at CUBE, 40% of the editorial team have experienced their parents’ divorce, so we discussed young people’s views on the subject.  Generally people said divorce wasn’t a big issue amongst young people at school or socially, so fortunately it no longer has the stigma it once did.

What’s often overlooked about us young people is that we are able to understand a lot more confusing situations than we are given credit for.
In Malta marriage is for life and divorce is forbidden. Young people from Cube disagreed with this law. As Amber said “If young people don’t want their parents to divorce they are being selfish, as it’s the parents choice” and I agree with this, because if the parents are unhappy it’s only going to make us unhappy, so it all makes sense!

Sometimes it’s the kids who act grown-up and the parents who act childish.  Michaela, whose parents are divorce doesn’t mind that they are not together anymore, but she does mind that they can’t be civilised with each other. Who wants their parents to have a big dispute whenever they are in the same room?

One positive outcome of a divorce is that both your parents are likely to be happier. This will lead to them wanting to spend more time with you. They will be able to get on with their lives and enjoy what’s left of it. You will realise that your living environment is a much better place due to your parents being happier. Emma commented that she has got to know her parents better as individuals now that they are separated.

One thing that usually happens after divorce is that parents may find new partners. This can sometimes lead to having another family in your life. This has happened to me as both of my parents are in new relationships.  Family can be annoying at times but a bigger family can lead to more family events and even more presents! What more could you ask for?
I think young people can cope with divorce a lot better than it is thought we do. In my opinion divorce isn’t as dramatic as it is made out to be.  Initially it is a shock; on the other hand there can be lots of benefits from your parents divorcing. So if you’re being faced with a family split, don’t worry it will get better in time!