DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

23 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Children of divorced parents affected more than thought: survey

July 11, 2024
Miniature people, big family standing at home using as family concept

Children whose parents divorce are unhappier with their lives and suffer worse stress than those whose parents stay together, a survey for the children’s ombudsman has found.

Ombudsman Margrite Kalverboer urged couples to put their children’s interest first after the findings showed divorce had a greater impact on their well-being than previously assumed.

Every year, the parents of some 40,000 children split up, affecting their well-being and development.

An analysis of the last three two-yearly surveys among 7,500 children between eight and 18 shows that children whose parents split up gave their quality of life a lower score than their peers.

Some 1,917 of the respondents were children of divorced couples, 1,210 of whom parted amicably.

Children of divorced parents scored significantly lower on love and affection shown by their parents and experienced a less stable home environment. Kalverboer said those experiences would “influence their sense of security and future perspectives”.

“My parents divorced at the beginning of this year. That affected me a lot then and it still does. It really coloured the way I look at my future,” one 17-year old girl said.

Kalverboer said professionals and policymakers must also do more to help parents.

“We as grown-ups have long thought a divorce did not affect the well-being and development of children that much,” she said. “But they are letting us know that it does. They tell us they miss their parents, their presence, their support.

“The absence of a good relationship with parents can mark children for life. … You divorce your partner but as parents you share the responsibility for the well-being of your children.”

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Children Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
AEX falls as Trump threatens 50% import tariff on European goods
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Zaanstad says yes to tourist tickets for Zaanse Schans windmills
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
Weekend brings showers and cooler weather, sun still possible
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now