Features – divorce

Operation: Divorce

By: Carmen Kelly

Divorce: the termination of a marriage. Is it the termination of a family, too? Children of divorced families school wide are put under pressure by this increasingly common situation.

 

More and more children all across America have to deal with their parents’ decisions every day, but especially regarding divorce and separation. “Divorce doesn’t have to be bad or good,” said psychologist Dr. Steven VanSchoyck,.

 

“Because my parents have been separated for so long, I have gotten used to having two different homes and just living with one parent,” said freshman Sachi Statz. Statz has adjusted to her parent’s divorce, but others don’t have it so easy.

 

“My parents were never really happy together. But the part that makes me really sad is that they never really told me what they were doing,” said freshman Christina Fernandez. “I knew that they were getting separated, but they never spoke to me about it.”

 

Whether it is with friends or other family members, children of divorce find a way to let things out. “I recommend family counseling,” said Dr. VanSchoyck. “Family counseling can help ease the transition and ease the child’s feelings.”

 

Fernandez does not talk about her parent’s separation with them. But she does talk to other people to help her get through the tough situation. “My friends have really been there for me, and one of my best friends is in the same situation,” says Fernandez.

 

1,075,000 children under the age of 18 have divorced parents, according to the Americans for Divorce Reform, Inc. “Age definitely affects how children react,” reported Dr. VanSchoyck. “Older children are typically more aware of immediate affects, but the physiological challenge is equal among all ages.”

 

“[We were] not realizing that the children get hurt the most in the end,” said Nidia Iglesias, Fernandez’ mother.

 

Some say divorce isn’t all that bad; students have mentioned double the presents on holidays. To add to that, students filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) who have divorced parents are only required to present the taxes for one parent, which in turn gets the child more money.

 

According to a poll taken at Miami Beach Senior High, 33% of the student population has divorced parents and 9% has separated parents.

 

Research has shown that divorce rates are reaching all-time highs. The proposed reason for this change is that women are less dependent on men for all things economic.

 

Each year, as many people get divorced as married (2.3 million). According to Enrichment Journal, a Catholic newsletter, the divorce rate in America for first marriages is 41%, the divorce rate in America for second marriages is 60%, and the divorce rate in America for third marriage is 73%.

 

“When I married, I believed it was for the rest of my life,” said Iglesias. “I was willing and for a long time tried to work to keep my marriage, but it takes both members of the marriage to make it work.”

Families everywhere have their problems. Some are separated, some divorced, but some are still together. “A lot of my friends are going through the same thing and a lot of my friends have parents that are still together,” said Statz.

Dear Harry

Dear Harry,

My best friend and I are super close, but lately it seems as if she can’t stand me.  I haven’t done anything at all. I think she’s just bored of me. What do I do?

Sincerely, Biffle Help

Dear Biffle,

A relationship consists of two people working to keep it going. If one person is not contributing to the relationship or if they are doing all the work, then it is just simply not fair and pointless. Remember, even best friends fight. It is normal to feel a little annoyed by a person that you are hanging out with the majority of the time. I recommend you talk with that person and tell them how you feel. Try giving her space but remind her that you are still going to be there regardless.

Best of Luck, Harry

 

Dear Harry,

Every time I go home I always get in a fight with my mom over the smallest things. I believe it is just because she is so stressed at work, and she takes it out on me. I tried talking to her but she does not listen. What can I do? Please Help!

Sincerely, Blonde Girl 712

 

Dear Blonde Girl 712,

I understand you feel hurt right now but the best way to fix your relationship with your mother is by talking to her when both of you are calm. While you talk to her do not use “you” words such as “you never” or “you get angry.” You want to avoid putting the blame on her. Try using “we” words, like “when we fight” or “it makes our relationship uncomfortable.” Then let her know, calmly and seriously, how the fighting makes you feel. No one can argue with your feelings. Try to even laugh about when you fought over something stupid. Your mother loves you and wants the best for you. Consider this as an opportunity to connect with her on a deeper level.

Your Friend, Harry

Dear Harry,

I’m new to the school and people pick on me because I have a different religion. What should I do?

Sincerely, Anonymous

 

Dear Anonymous,

Being a new student at a new school is not the easiest transition in your teenage life, especially if you have a religion people don’t seem to understand. Luckily, it is manageable. If you are comfortable and confident with your religion, simply try to ignore them. When people do not understand something they tend to approach the situation by attacking it. If you ignore them and they continue to bother you, seek administrative help. At the end of the road, your real friends will stick up for you and accept you for you.

Your Friend, Harry

IB – Kristeen

These are the things you don’t want to do: 

 

• “When asked…”
•  “Mr.”
• parentheses
• italics
• Don’t write 6, write six. Numbers from zero to nine write out, 10 and up use number figures.
• No first person!
• Don’t write dates with the th, st, rd, as in 16^th, just October 16, 2008.
• “great news” and “brutal” are opinionated. You must be objective in news pieces.
• “our current freshmen”
• “These schools are nationally renowned for academics” according to…

 

The article needs to focus more on the actual update of the IB program. Remember to use inverted pyramid style – most important information at the top and least important at the bottom. You can also include more about what will happen in 2009, what the second stage actually means and getting through it, and you definitely need more sources of information, i.e. quotes. Ms. Rivas is doing a lot of stuff with IB. Obviously, Mr. Weiss knows all the people that are involved, and all the workshops that teachers have to go to, so maybe include stuff about teacher certifications and their updates.

Peer Edits

Nadine

SUGGESTIONS:

• This is article is extremely well written and researched, very well organized, and only needs a bit of polishing.
• Remember to put the period inside the quote: “…up to standard.”
• Where you write, “Their prediction was correct; Law…” put a colon instead of a semi-colon. “correct: law”
• Nadine, you are perfect.

Patrick

SUGGESTIONS:

• This is article is a little magnificent, very well organized, and only needs a bit of polishing and more depth.
• The, “If not, then you haven’t been keeping your eyes open,” can’t really be said. I watch the JROTC kids and see all the stuff you mention and it makes me realize more and more how much I would suffer in the army. You might want to replace it with a sentence that reveals your point and focus of the article.
• You don’t want to say “can be seen every day by every one of us,” “Every student sees…” because this generalization is not necessarily true.
• Remember to write “2” as “two.” Numbers from zero to nine are written out (as so) and anything 10 and higher are number figures.
• I would take out the sentence beginning “Personally…”
• My problem with the topic you chose to write about it (even though it is very well written) is that isn’t it just plain tradition and discipline for the JROTC kids to wear uniforms, especially when they are performing? I think you should make a clearer distinction between the fact that performing a lot makes them a good squad but wearing the uniform to school is too much or a walking advertisement.
• My other problem is that wouldn’t they want to advertise their group, and isn’t it better for them if they do it subliminally rather than in-your-face?
• Since Fisher’s quote is a really work yes-or-no answer, you can just say, “Fisher himself thinks there may be a subliminal effect…”
• 3^rd is written out as third. For this, all numbers are written out (eleventh, not 11^th).
• You might want to include something about seniors getting mail about joining the army. I have gotten a ton of recruitment letters, college-prep magazine things, download free music card, etc. And like I said before, there is no way I will join the army!
• Also, you may want to include that boys who sign up for financial aid for college must also sign up for the army draft call, or something like that.