On SBS Tuesdays 8:30pm

Repeated Wednesday 1:00pm SBS ONE, Friday 7:30pm SBS TWO

Kids on Divorce

Tuesday, 14 Apr 09

Overview

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Revisit one of our most talked about programs of this year. What do kids think about divorce and separation?

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Last year, over a quarter of Australia's children grew up in either a step or blended family or with just their mum or dad. Nearly one third of marriages now end in divorce and over a million kids grow up with their natural parent living elsewhere.

While academics, psychologists, lawyers, and policy makers hotly debate the best way to care for kids after a relationship break-up - how often do we hear from the actual kids themselves? What's it like being a child of divorce?

This special episode of Insight throws out the adults from this discussion and talks to the kids themselves.  Incorporating a lively studio discussion with video diaries filmed with 12 - 20 year olds from around the country, we explore some of the myths surrounding the impact of divorce and separation on both young and old children.

Does 50/50 parenting work for kids? Are kids as resilient as they can seem? Is there such a thing as a 'good' divorce? How long-term and far reaching can the impacts of divorce be on children?

Please join us on our Live Chat after the replay. Three of our young guests will be online for you to talk to.

Organisations

Reach Out!
 
Kids Help Line
 
Lifeline
 
Unifam Counselling
 
Family Relationships Online
 


Meet the Guests

  • Danielle

    Danielle's parents separated when she was eight. Every weekend since then, Danielle and her sister have swapped houses. Now 17, both her parents have remarried, and Danielle has a little brother on her mother's side.

  • David

    David’s parents split up four years ago when he was 13. He relocated to Deception Bay in Queensland with his mother and two younger siblings, and says that life has markedly improved for his family. The Year 12 student was voted school captain this year.

  • John

    John, 17, lives in Country Victoria. When he was 12 he arrived home from school to find his parents fighting. A few moments later they split up.

  • Sarah

    For the past few years Sarah has been living with her mum and step-father after her parents separated when she was a baby. Just recently she has decided to move from her mum's to her dad's.

  • Ayfer

    Ayfer’s parents divorced when she was four and for the next eight years, she had no contact with her father. Then, when Ayfer was 12 she went to meet him for the first time. She now looks forward to her regular visits to see him.

  • Linh

    Linh's parent’s split up when she was 12 but the 18-year-old says the impact of that has only recently sunk in. Linh’s dad remarried a few years back.

  • Rachel

    Rachel's parents separated when she was three and they have both since re-partnered. She now lives with her mum in Perth

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