Divorce Has Impact on Children’s Religious Attendance

 Posted on February 14, 2013 in Family Law

Recently, studies have shown that children of divorce are twice as likely to refrain from religion as adults than kids who grow up in families where the parents were in happy, stable marriages. However, clergy members have continuously overlooked this. According to the Chicago Tribune, the researchers of this study are going to present their new findings to Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church. They hope that the pastors will stop overlooking the children of divorces’ faith. Researchers believe that children of divorce who leave the church are a main contributor to the decline of people in mainline Christian religious affiliations.

One of the head researchers of the project, Elizabeth Marquardt, talked to the Chicago Tribune; she told them that she feels the mainline churches have not done enough to help children of divorce. They have trusted that if everyone gets along and keeps their conflict to a minimum that it will all turn out okay. Marquardt feels that the results of her study could have an impact on the mainline churches, which rely on the next generation to bring them forward. Throughout Marquardt’s study, she found that children of divorce felt misunderstood at church during their parent’s separation. A child, who feels alienated by the church, would surely not come back to it as an adult.

Although, there are some pastors who try to reach out to children when their parents are going through a split. The Reverend Joyce Shin says, “There is no protocol when a couple in the congregation is separating.” But Rev. Shin does try to reach out to the adults and tries to help out with the children’s needs. Shin goes on to say, “We know there are trusts that are being broken and that were broken, and it’s going to take a lot to build up from that.”

Whether you are religious or not, if you and your spouse are looking to file for divorce contact an Illinois Divorce Attorney, who will be able to answer any of your questions. Contact a DuPage County Divorce Lawyer today. Call 630-920-8855 to receive a free consultation today.