"Only god decides": Young children's perceptions of divorce and the legal system

Objective: To describe research on perceptions of children aged 6 and young er from 21 families of their parents' divorce, of its impact on their famil ies, and of legal officials. Method: Semistructured play interviews were co nducted during home visits as parents were conjointly interviewed as part o f a larger study on divorce in legal context. Results: Children had much mi sinformation about divorce as an event and process. What they did know was often inappropriate, frightening, and confusing. They resented how the proc ess "ruined their parents' being friends any more" and proposed reforms bas ed on their wishes and observations. Conclusions: Greater awareness is need ed of the child's desire to be heard during the process, to feel safe and l ess lonely and to stay in touch with both parents and extended families. Ag e-appropriate explanations of psychological and legal aspects of the divorc e process are likely to support children's positive adjustment and mental h ealth.