THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON CHILDREN IN WORETA CITY ADMINISTRATION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Objective: This study attempted to investigate the socio-economic effects of divorce on children in the Woreta City Administration. Methods: Qualitative, specifically phenomenological research design was employed for understanding the lived experiences of children from divorced families. Data were collected from children of a divorced family and experts through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews and participants of the study were selected by using a non-probability of snowball sampling technique. The collected data analyzed and interpreted thematically to address the aforementioned objectives. Results: The study shows that many children are negatively suffering from the social effects of divorce. This is often expressed by the feeling of insecurity, educational failure and/or low school performances, loss of attachment as well as abuse and neglect. The study further reveals that children are also facing the harmful economic effects of divorce. Inability to access resources to fulfill basic needs, in-accessed to health-care services, as well as learning difficulties and low school performances are the major economic problems of divorce on children. Conclusion: The study concluded that even if divorce affects all of those involved in its process but it has harmful effects on children’s socio-economic wellbeing than others.