Frisco Divorce Lawyers

How Adultery Affects Children

Infidelity within a marriage can have devastating consequences. Adultery can create emotional trauma for entire families. If a child discovers a parent is cheating it can be detrimental to their relationship with that parent.

Adultery can affect children in the short term and long term. Some of the most common negative consequences of infidelity in a marriage on a child include:

Insecurity

If a parent is being unfaithful, a child can take that as the loss of a family member. They can begin to blame themselves for the separation of the family unit, feeling like they were unable to keep it whole. They can also become self conscience around others who are part of a united family unit.

Confusion of values

Parents are the primary role models for children. A cheating parent can change the values a child has learned within the household. Infidelity may become an acceptable practice in the mind of the child. This can affect the child’s future relationships and chances for a happy, successful marriage.

Anger

Upon finding out that one parent has cheated on the other, it is likely that the child will become angry and betrayed at the lying that is so often associated with infidelity. Anger can build against the cheating parent for his or her deception, but it can also develop against the parent who is a victim of infidelity. Sometimes they feel the loyal parent should have done something to prevent the affair. Lastly, they can feel self-anger, blaming themselves for not preventing the infidelity or feeling like they must have done something wrong to push the cheating parent away.

Bitterness

This is a very common feeling for the children of a cheating parent. They can feel bitter at the parents for causing this upset in the family structure. They can feel bitterness at the world in general for being unfair, knowing they do not deserve what is happening to them. They can also be bitter towards extended family or friends for being part of seemingly happy family units.

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Adultery can have a serious impact on the emotional wellbeing of a child. If infidelity does occur it can be beneficial to explain the situation to the child as calmly and honestly as possible, reassuring the child that he or she is still loved by both parents and the affair is not his or her fault.

If your marriage has experienced infidelity and you are considering a divorce, seeking legal counsel can be a tremendous help throughout the emotionally difficult process. Contact the Frisco divorce lawyers of Alexander & Associates today at 972-420-6570 for a consultation.