Child Disability and the Family Structure
“…it is not the child’s disability that handicaps and disintegrates families; it is the way they react to it and to each other” (Dickman & Gordon, 1985, p. 109).
Today’s parents face a world of challenges with everything from keeping themselves healthy and happy to providing their children a safe environment that fosters the physical, emotional and social growth of their children in today’s society. Sometimes the everyday demands of life seem too great to overcome and families will experience stress and/or crisis as they try to survive. Often families will fall apart or choose to split up the family unit in response to money struggles, addictions, abuse, health, or just plain unhappiness. It is no surprise then to learn that having a child with a disability can also drive families apart or into a state of chronic stress or crisis. This does not have to be the case. This article addresses not only how having a child with a disability can impact the family system, but also how families can use their circumstances to become a more resilient and healthy family.
Site that expands on the above topic: http://www.ncaonline.org/monographs/17family.shtml
I like how this article provides suggestions on becoming a more resilient and healthy family. The two I feel that are of great importance to all families is communication and making time for each other. The information provided can support your inquiry on divorce within families of children with disabilities. As commented on your last blog, what is your perspective on divorce within families of children with disabilities this far? Does the disability play a factor in causing families to split?
ReplyDeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteI feel a family who has a child with a disability will experience many challenges such as “repeated physical and emotional crises, interactive family issues, ruined schedules, and additional expenses which can create financial burdens for a family,” (Lavin, 2001, p. 21). It may be during these times of physical and emotional stress that parents will take out their frustrations on each other, the other children or even the child with the disability or illness. This can lead to marital problems as well as issues of sibling rivalry, parentification, and even child abuse. Therefore, I believe these families who have a child with a disability are at greater risk for divorce or separation based on the high levels of stress they face daily