Effects of Broken Marriages of Children's Well-being: A Case Study in Nobewam Community – Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

The effects of divorce on individuals and on society as a whole have been widely debated in public discussion of Ghanaian life. This study critically looks at the effects of broken marriages on children well-being. Specifically, study depicts the causes of broken marriages, the effects of broken marriage on children's well-being and the mechanisms to curb broken marriages. The purposive and snowballing techniques were used in the sampling of respondents. Questionnaires were used in collecting the data. The study found that children exposed to the unilateral divorce laws have poorer outcomes in young adulthood. Also the study found that children's development depends on the both parent and that the mental stability of separated parents also affects the well-being of the child. This paper contributes to the evaluation of how divorce affects the psychological and the emotional wellbeing of adults as well as the development of children.  It was revealed that most marriages breakdown due to complex reasons and as such one cannot pin point the exact cause of divorce in marriages. It was realized that there are various contributing factors to divorce. Lastly, the study suggested ways to minimize and prevent divorce in Ghana. The suggested ways to curb broken marriages includes; counseling before and after marriages, understanding and effective communication of couples. It was concluded that understanding the wellbeing of marriage couples and their children can aid in providing ways of resolving any unrest problem.