Exploring Impacts of Divorce on Well-Being Children in Jimma City, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Child well-being is ensured by protecting child rights and respecting their best interests. Parents play crucial roles in protecting child wellbeing. On the other hand, anything against family dissolution, like divorce, has detrimental impacts on child wellbeing. Objective: The main purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of parental divorce on the social and economic wellbeing of children in Jimma City, Oromia Regional National State. Method: In order to address the objective of this study, a qualitative research approach and purposive sampling technique were employed. A total of 31 informants took part in this study. I collected the data by means of FGDs, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and case studies as methods of data collection. Similarly, I used thematic analysis to analyse the findings. The attachment, social learning, and ecological system theories were used as a theoretical framework to guide the study. Findings: The results of the study show that parental divorce has various negative impacts on children, which manifest in school dropout, poor academic performance or achievement, neglect, exposure to abuse, exploitation, child trafficking, rape, stigma, criminal or deviant behaviour, early marriage, sexually transmitted disease, particularly in women, and loss of means of livelihood. Moreover, divorce makes the relationship between their parents, relatives, peers, and friends worse. The weakening of social relationships between the children and these significant others is one of the contributing factors to the children's being exposed to different problems and challenges. Conclusion: A recent study showed that they had problems with their money, health, and social lives. If parents get divorced, their children might experience divorce when they grow up. This research showed that the children in the area where the study was done had big problems with money, friends, and staying healthy. Difficulties that can cause violence include parents not taking care of their kids, families not having enough money, different cultures with different beliefs about violence, and people learning violent behaviour from their surroundings. vi | P a g e Recommendations: based on the finding of the study, Based on the exploration of the impacts of divorce on the wellbeing of children in Jimma City, the following recommendations can be made: Strengthen support services, Accessible mental health services, Community awareness and support, Long-term monitoring and research in Jimma City.