Marital Troubles when a Child Dies

"The death of a child is one of life's most destructive occurrences at any age or life stage simply because it is a disruption of what we believe to be the natural order of life." Explained Katrina Banaski, an elder care specialist with United Regional Medical Centers. "The age of the parent or child has no bearing. A child's death is devastating and has reaching effects to other relationships."
Popular opinion tells us most marriages are unable to make it through such a tragedy. Parental grief experts tell us the pain of losing a child is lengthened and exaggerated in every way. The belief in life's continuous predictability is challenged. Our very foundation is shaken. Contrary to popular belief however, it does not mean that divorce is unavoidable.

Studies by Directions Research, Inc and NFO Research, Inc. for the parental grief support group "The Compassionate Friends" the nations largest bereavement organization, found only 16 percent of couples that experience the death of a child end up getting divorced. Of that 16% less than half reported the impact of the death of their child had a factor in the decision to divorce. It has been popular consensus that when a child dies the stress is enough to eventually destroy even the strongest marriage. Studies show us differently however. We have learned that while the death of a child can strain a marriage it doesn't usually end in divorce. Most married couples that experience this kind of devastation pull together and some even become stronger.