IndexDivorce and Family SeparationAddiction and Abuse in FamiliesShapes Behavior and LifestyleConclusionReferencesHuman beings gain knowledge by observing, listening, experimenting, and asking questions. The parental approach with which a child is raised has a definite and direct impact on the social, psychological, physical and spiritual actions of that individual. Parents play a significant role in the development and growth of their children. Evidently, it has been observed in many different investigations that the mental health of parents and their own parents is directly related to the child's outlook, character and tendencies throughout his or her life span. No family is perfect, so this essay will discuss how parental behavior and family situations influence child behavior. First, divorce and family separation lead to many physical and mental problems in children. Secondly, addictions and abuse in families can lead to many problems both physical and mental. Finally, the way one acts in social situations, the relationships an individual establishes and one's health are influenced by parents. Parents influence their children in many different ways. How parents approach their children to different situations, values, and beliefs in life becomes extremely important to that individual over time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Divorce and Family Separation Divorce and family separation often lead to confusion, frustration, and sometimes mental health problems in children. Younger children may feel unloved or guilty during their parents' divorce because they generally tend to have difficulty understanding the complexity of the situation. “Children are 50% more likely to become seriously ill after a divorce than those with two parents” (Sophie Wright). Studies conducted on the negative effects of divorce have found that young children from divorced families tend to suffer academically, experience behavioral problems, and suffer from illnesses, both mental and physical. Additionally, teens often experience feelings of betrayal and tend to view divorce as a heartbreaking and unjustifiable scenario. Adolescents generally try to distance themselves and show extreme anger or hatred towards one or both parents. According to Newport Academy, “A recent survey of nearly 1 million adolescents showed that adolescents raised in single-parent families were more than twice as likely to experience a serious psychiatric disorder, commit or attempt suicide, or develop an alcohol addiction.” . Teens with divorced parents are very vulnerable and are more likely to be involved in harmful situations. Finally, a significant number of children suffer from the long-term effects of divorce, including psychological and social difficulties, as well as increased anxiety in forming attachments and relationships later in life. Victims of divorce carry with them deep feelings of abandonment and resentment throughout their adulthood. It should be added that it is almost impossible for children who have experienced divorce to fully recover from adversity. Negative family experiences introduce large-scale changes into a child's life, regardless of age. Addiction and abuse in families The experience of abuse or trauma by an addicted parent at a young age can also causeconsequential on a child. The problem of drug and alcohol abuse by parents usually leads to forgetting the needs of children. Studies show that 1 in 5 children grows up in a home where a parent abuses drugs or alcohol. Children with addicted parents tend to feel deprived not only physically, but also emotionally. Additionally, children of parents who suffer from alcohol or drug abuse are at greater risk of having physical, health, mental health, and substance abuse problems as they advance in life. Children who have parents with a substance use disorder are three times more likely to have suffered physical or sexual abuse. “The consequence of this is that these children are over 50% more likely to be arrested as juveniles and 40% more likely to commit a violent crime” (Laura Lander). Third, children living in homes where they and/or another member of their family are experiencing domestic abuse may feel extremely fearful and distressed. More than 15 million children in the United States have experienced domestic violence in their homes at least once. Abused individuals are at very high risk of repeating this cycle as they age, entering into abusive relationships, or becoming abusers themselves. Parental addictive behaviors are one of the many factors that play an immense role in the behavioral development of children. Shapes Behavior and Lifestyle Each individual shapes their parents' behavior and lifestyle through their own beliefs, thoughts, actions, and parenting. The culture one grows up in and the teachings of that culture have a direct impact on an individual's happiness, ethics, morality, behavior, and personality. Growing up and being surrounded by culture and its affiliated traditions, cultural norms, and underlying assumptions can have such effects. In European-American culture, children provide long, self-centered narratives based on personal preferences that are shared through interaction and taking turns. The interaction style in their culture tends to be a reciprocal situation, while interactions between Korean and Chinese children are normally quite short and relationship-based. Additionally, specific health and safety knowledge is acquired through the teachings of an individual's parents. This includes important knowledge about access to healthcare, protection, good hygiene and nutrition. For example, parents who understand immunization often have created a safe home environment with effective injury prevention measures. “Parental education is also significantly related to children's self-reported health status, with more educated parents being much more likely to report that their children are in very good or very good health, again, regardless of insurance status” ( Christina Paxson). When a child is born, parents must decide whether to take him to the doctor and dentist, use vehicle safety, provide healthy food and sufficient exercise. Additionally, how children grow into adults and their future success are greatly influenced by parenting style. Uninvolved, permissive and authoritarian parenting styles can lead a child to have behavioral problems, poor communication, low happiness and lower competence than his or her peers. “Authoritative parenting styles tend to produce happy, capable, and successful children” (Steven Gans). Children of authoritative parents understand why rules are put in place, recognize that they are reasonable, and strive to distinguish between right and wrong by following these rules..