Final answer:
The statement indicating that most children are unaffected by parental divorce in the long term is false. Research illustrates that divorce can lead to stress and negative impacts, especially for kids from lower-conflict homes. However, a strong parent-child relationship can mitigate some of the adverse effects of divorce.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most children suffer absolutely no long-term negative effects when parents divorce is false. In reality, significant research shows that divorce can be stressful and damaging for children, particularly when they come from homes with low levels of conflict. It is in high-conflict homes where children may benefit from the reduced stress post-divorce. Moreover, the formation of stepfamilies post-divorce does not necessarily improve stress levels for children and can sometimes introduce additional conflicts and stresses.
The presence of parental support and strong parent-child relationships, however, can greatly improve children's adjustment to divorce. Also, societal shifts, like divorce, can affect the financial and educational advantages that come from growing up in a home with both parents compared to a single-parent household. Additionally, children's views on marriage and the importance of a strong family life have not necessarily been diminished despite their experiences with divorce.