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Is the info on this website accurate: https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Your-Parents%27-Divorce
Executive summary
The wikiHow article “How to Deal With Your Parents’ Divorce” presents common, practical advice — validate emotions, avoid self-blame, seek support, and consider counseling — guidance that matches multiple mental-health and family-resources pieces (see wikiHow Life, Talkspace, KidsHealth) [1] [2] [3] [4]. Available sources broadly corroborate the article’s main tips, though reporting highlights additional perspectives (age-specific impacts, adult-child issues, legal/financial complexities) that the single how‑to page may not fully explore [5] [6] [7].
1. Practical coping advice aligns with mainstream guidance
The wikiHow steps — accept your feelings as normal; don’t assume the divorce is your fault; reach out for support; consider counseling — replicate core recommendations found in other outlets for children and teens, such as KidsHealth and Talkspace, which emphasize grief, a range of emotions, and that the split is not the child’s fault [1] [4] [3]. This consistency across sources strengthens the article’s basic psychological-first-aid value [2].
2. Limitations: age differences and longer-term effects under-emphasized
Several sources stress that effects and helpful actions differ by age — young children face custody and household changes, teens need emotional validation and school supports, and adult children confront different role and boundary issues — nuances that a single 15-step how‑to can compress [4] [5] [6]. Specialist pieces about adult children note pressures to “choose sides,” boundary-setting, and unique grief that wikiHow’s general advice may not fully cover [6] [5].
3. Missing legal, financial and family-system context
Coverage from counseling and family-law resources points out that divorce can involve significant logistical and legal changes (custody, moving, shared parenting plans) and that these practicalities shape what coping looks like; wikiHow mentions adjustments to “two homes” but does not substitute for legal or therapeutic guidance on those systemic issues [2] [7]. For readers needing concrete steps on custody or financial questions, specialized legal or clinical sources are necessary [7].
4. Tone and value‑judgments: wikiHow is practical, not prescriptive on whether divorce may be better
Some sites, like Midlife Divorce Recovery, take a more evaluative stance — suggesting that divorce can sometimes be healthier long-term — while faith‑based outlets frame causes in moral terms [8] [9]. wikiHow’s stepwise, neutral tone matches secular counseling guidance (accept feelings, seek help) but omits advocacy positions; readers wanting explicit judgments or ethical framing should consult sites that state those perspectives [8] [9].
5. Evidence and references: general agreement, varied sourcing
The repeat of certain key claims across parenting and therapy sites — e.g., that children commonly feel guilt, that self‑care and counseling help — indicates convergence on best practices [3] [2] [4]. However, wikiHow’s page is a summary “how‑to” and not an original empirical study; for data on prevalence, developmental outcomes, or therapy efficacy you’ll need peer‑reviewed research or clinical guidelines, which are not in the provided results (available sources do not mention peer‑reviewed studies on outcomes).
6. Practical recommendation for readers evaluating the page
Use the wikiHow article as a reliable, user‑friendly primer for emotional coping (validate feelings, avoid blame, seek support), but supplement it with age‑specific resources (KidsHealth for teens/children), mental‑health services (Talkspace/counseling referrals), and legal or family‑law guidance if custody, moving, or financial issues arise [4] [3] [7]. If you’re an adult child, consult materials that address boundary-setting and adult-family dynamics [6] [5].
7. Conflicting viewpoints and hidden agendas to watch for
Be aware that different sources carry implicit agendas: counseling platforms may promote therapy services [3], faith organizations may frame divorce in moral or religious terms [9], and niche blogs (Midlife Divorce Recovery) may normalize divorce as positive in many cases [8]. These perspectives don’t invalidate practical tips but shape emphasis — choose supplemental material whose values match your needs [8] [9] [3].
Conclusion: The wikiHow article’s core advice is consistent with multiple mental‑health and family resources and is a reasonable starting point [1] [2] [3] [4]. For complex, age‑specific, legal, or long‑term issues, consult specialized counseling, legal, or family‑law sources cited above [7] [5] [6].