Blossom Egbon

Divorce, a phenomenon that has become increasingly prevalent in many societies, has far-reaching implications, especially on the lives of children. This study investigates the implications of divorce on children in the Obe Community, located in Benin City, Edo State. The research focuses on understanding how parental separation affects children’s psychological, emotional, social, and educational development. Using a qualitative and descriptive methodology, data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires administered to divorced parents, children from divorced homes, teachers, and community leaders. The findings reveal that divorce significantly disrupts the emotional stability of children in Obe Community, leading to feelings of abandonment, insecurity, and low self-esteem. Many children experience difficulty adjusting to new family structures, such as living with a single parent or a step-parent. Educationally, children from divorced homes were observed to perform less favorably in school due to divided attention, lack of parental guidance, and emotional distress. Socially, these children often exhibit behavioral issues such as aggression, withdrawal, or involvement in delinquent activities, stemming from the absence of a balanced parental model and inadequate supervision. The study further highlights the cultural and economic factors in Obe Community that exacerbate the negative effects of divorce. In many cases, single- parent households struggle financially, affecting the children’s access to quality education, healthcare, and other basic needs. Additionally, societal stigma and communal perceptions of broken homes contribute to the isolation and discrimination faced by children of divorced parents, thereby hindering their social integration and personal development.