Four ways your marriage can affect your child

Creating a family is a significant responsibility that both men and women share. Raising a child can be challenging, especially when doing so within a marriage that is struggling to survive. The relationship between a husband and wife and their roles as a father and a mother directly impact the child’s well-being. It not only affects his cognitive abilities but also his social and emotional needs. It is essential to be aware of how your marriage affects your child’s future. Broadly speaking, there are four ways in which your marriage can impact your child, including the direct impact of your relationship, instability, emotional distress, and long-term effects.

1.      Your married relationship has a direct impact on your child

Children tend to mimic the behaviors and actions of those around them, especially those they observe at home and in their immediate environment. As they form strong bonds with their parents at a young age, they crave emotional validation and physical presence. Due to his/her parents’ tumultuous marriage, he/she views marriage negatively, perceiving it as toxic.

This not only affects his/her mental health but also leaves a scar on his/her personality development. Husbands and wives considering separation must also consider the impact on their child’s life. He will grow up as an insecure, neglected, and emotionally unavailable individual.

2.      Impact on relationships later in life

Children learn to form social bonds and connections with family first at home from a young age. These skills stay with them throughout their lives as they grow up. If children are exposed to verbal or domestic abuse directed at their mother, they may develop a one-sided attachment to that parent and struggle with forming secure bonds with others as well. They may develop trauma response behavior and feel insecure individuals. Parents should keep in mind that their internal conflicts and separation will affect the child in many ways.

3.      Disruption of stability

One of the major effects of parental divorce or separation is the development of trust issues in children due to the disruption of stable relationships. When the husband and wife separate, they have to develop a legal relationship for the custody of their child. The role of a father and mother cannot ever truly come to an end. They will have to hire a child custody lawyer to make legal decisions for the child. His/her future responsibilities and finances will be sorted through legal court actions.

4.      Long-term psychological effects on the child

Separation of the parents and custody disputes can leave the child with many psychological effects. He will be at the stake, regarding his mental health and feelings of insecurity or guilt. He will develop a love/hate relationship with one of his/her parents. He would not be able to trust anyone in society as he could trust his blood relations initially. As an adult, he will feel alienated and dissatisfied. Hence, parents must pay close attention to resolving their internal conflicts so that their children are not affected by them.