Factors associated with divorce and its effects on children: implications for social work in Botswana

Abstract

This research explores factors associated with divorce, the implications of divorce on the livelihoods of children in Botswana, as well as the role of social workers. A comprehensive review of literature was done to understand how the above issues relate to children in Botswana. The researcher found out that affective issues, abusive behavior and external factors were the major factors associated with divorce in Botswana. The major drivers of affective issues include lack of communication in the family and infidelity between spouses or partners. It has been found than divorce affects children psychologically, socially and economically. Lower academic achievement which is a result of stress and depression has been cited as a major consequence of the psychological effect. While unreasonable behaviour, delinquency and outstanding school fees were seen as social and economic effects. The study further noted that Social Workers can play various roles in children’s adjustment to parental divorce. These include: counselor; enabler; mediator; educator; broker; advocate; researcher and policy formulator. The researcher concluded that some policy interventions, both at the family and nationwide levels, are important as they help to reduce the effects of divorce on children in the country. It is also recommended that national policies should emphasize the need to preserve marriages and divorce should only come after all reconciliatory efforts have failed.