Reflection

English 102
8 February 2007

Reader’s Digest

Parents who stay together and have issues within their marriage should know that the kids will not be happy. My experiences were that my Mom had divorced my Dad, because he was bringing his illegal habits to home and she wasn’t having it. I was only one year old when my parents divorce. Family members and my mom were telling me the incidents that occurred in our home. I was so shock to hear that my Dad was doing these terrible incidents; but I realize now that he was doing it to support his family. Of course my Mom wanted the white picket fences and the Golden Retriever, but reality had kick. My Mom was strong, she raised two intelligent girls and she deserves much credit. When I hear stories on the news about kids who are really depressed or kids who rebel against their parents; it makes me think is it because they stayed in a house with parents who are constantly bickering. I can’t say that all kids who are depressed or have other issues are because of their parents, but the facts don’t lie.

Many Researchers have done studies on kids who live in trouble marriages. Many of the kids will start to blame one of the parents and have hatred towards the parents. Sometimes the parents will start to take out their frustration on the kids; whether it is Mentally or Physically. I hear stories on the news and done some reading on the fact that women will find men that are exactly like their father. If this same woman has seen her parents fight and argue constantly, she will think that it’s okay for a man and a woman to fight all the time. So in turn her boyfriend can be very controlling and maybe abusive. She would probably say to herself “It’s okay my mother went through it, must be normal”. I’m not saying that every woman or man has put themselves in an abusive relationship. But some of society has experience this problem because their PARENTS had decide to put their children through this havoc. I also look at the other point of view of society who doesn’t agree with this issue. They would probably think that the PARENTS should stay together for the children because they made a commit to each other. The parents don’t want their kids to grow up in an unstable home even if the problems are kept behind closed doors. I can understand both sides of this controversial issue; but I can only relate to how I grew up and what I went through. My Mom wants me to have a relationship with Dad, especially since I haven’t seen him in nineteen years.

I have some resentment towards my Dad, only because I wish he tried harder to change his lifestyle. He had a loving family and a hard working women and he was being selfish. I always wonder what would’ve happen if my parents had stayed together…would my Mom get persuade into doing the illegal habit. Or would the Federal Bureau Investigation bust down our door and take my sister and me to Child Protection Service. All of these events bring tears to my eyes and I would hate for anyone to go through this tragedy. But the truth is that this takes place everyday in the so called “Loving Homes”. I not trying to change any minds but I’m want people to understand the Pro’s and Con’s of married couples who stay together and can’t resolve their issues. I agree that marriage takes a lot of work and commit and that your children are your first priority; but doing what is right (separating) will make your family a little happier.

Reader’s Digest is a very good Lifestyle magazine; their topics are a broad spectrum of everyday events. They range from Politics to how to find the perfect pair of jeans. The readers really do let the Editor know how they feel about the issues that are published in this magazine. Even the Editor doesn’t mind publishing articles that has opposing views (Children of Divorce). Reader’s Digest has articles that are really heart felt and makes you take a second to think. I chose this article because I can easily relate to this problem with my personal experiences. “Children of Divorce” is a very touchy subject and many people will have their different point of views. Not everyone is meant to think alike, this is what makes America!!!