Exploring the Social Relationships of Children of Divorced Family In Debark Town; North, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Divorce has a global phenomenon and social relationship impact on children in a broad and it is a sensitive issue. Divorce has negative social impact on parent-child, peer, and neighborhoods relationship. The general objective of the study was to explore the social relationship of children of divorced family in Debark town. A qualitative research method particularly the case study design was used. Using Purposive sampling technique a total of 16 (8 males and 8 female children age ranging from 12 up to 18) and four key informant custodial parent respondents involved in the study. Data collected by using in-depth interviewing and key informant interview. Thematic data analyses technique was employed. The current study indicates that children of divorced family have poor social relationships with their parents, family members, friends, and neighborhoods during the process of divorce, during divorce, and post divorce that depending on the parents handling of their divorce. Parent’s conflict, physical and verbal abuse, loosing attention to care, emotional support, help, affection, physical closeness and residency differences, and economic problem in school age children seriously affecting their social relationships with others, whose ages under school age were have good social relationships than school age children. Children of divorced family, their social relationships with others based on their gender and age indicate that, girls have good social relationships with peers and neighborhoods than boys. Key Words: Children, Divorce, Social Relationship