The changing family in Northern Ireland - Young people and divorce

Northern ireland's divorce culture is different from thar of other parts of the United Kingdom, and its support services for children from divorcing families are underdeveloped, This study explored young people's experiences of the divorce process and the help provided by family, friends, and professionals. Thirty-seven young people ages 12 to 18 responded to interview questions. From their perspective, the separation/divorce process was a lengthy one, frequently underpinned by a narrative ofacn'mony and violence. Extended family and peers were important sources of social support. There was little evidence of productive alliances with siblings. Nineteen of the teenagers had used a specialist counseling scn,ice; they were very positive about this service, but their experiences of other services were more mixed. These findings suggest the need for a more structured and coordinated approach to service provision for children and young people.