Divorce is one of the most difficult tribulations a family can go through, but unless you’ve experienced it first-hand, it’s hard to visualize exactly how much damage it causes. An artist known only by the pen-name ‘Mac’ has illustrated how divorce affected their family in a simple, yet deeply saddening comic, and it’s guaranteed to give you all the feels you never asked for today.
While it’s true that every family deals with divorce differently, and some families even come out better and stronger after it all, an overwhelming number of Internet users identified strongly with the sordid tale of ‘Mac’ and his crumbling surroundings. “This should be required reading before having children,” one even wrote. We’ve collected accounts from some of these users to show both sides of this often bittersweet story.
See it for yourself below, and if you feel comfortable sharing, tell us how your family handled ‘the great divide’ in the comments.
Some people related to the comic strongly
While others had a much different experience
What does divorce mean to you? Tell us below!
As Tolstoy said, every family is unhappy their own way. Each family's situation is different, therefore we can't bash divorce as a neccessarily evil thing. Also there are couples who stay friends even after divorce. It's a thing you cannot generalise even if you try really hard.
exactly Daria, as a divorced man, i know that's not a thing you can generalise. not always the families break itself with divorce, many times come broken long time ago, or lot of issues different every case......
I completely agree you can’t generalize divorce. However, the first 3/4 of this is exactly what happened in mine. Husband abandoned us and my son and I both near fell into that pit. But we made our way out together (even though he was only 3) and we have a happy life without my ex now.
You are right. Everyone has their hardships, and saying divorce is always bad is a lie. Some divorces are for the better and like you said, some stay friends after divorce.
My parents divorced before I turned 1 and remarried by the time I was 3. It was the best thing that they could have done. It was a toxic relationship, and they have been married now for 34 and 35 years. I wouldn't trade my "step" parents for anything. There was plenty of tough moments growing up, but as we got older it was great. My siblings that aren't related, treat each other like brothers and sisters. I think as long as the parents do everything they can to make easier for the kids involved, it will be ok. Parents need to talk to their kids about whats going on and make sure that the kids are doing ok.
"I think as long as the parents do everything they can to make easier for the kids involved, it will be ok"....... Great thougt, Joe, i agree...
Thx, Joe. An uplifting story. (My story was less cheerful.) Glad yours went well!
I was lucky enough to have 4 adults that wanted what was best for us. I have 7 brothers and a sister. They sacrificed so we didn't have to go without. There was plenty of trying times, I won't lie. It was tough leaving one set of parents and going to the others. But they made it work. My parents definitely had moments where they couldn't stand each other, but they never put us in the middle or made it bad for us to get back at the other parent. I wish the best for all kids and parents that are dealing with divorce
lucky you, your parents are very balanced and intelligent people...good luck with your life
Patchwork families are nothing uncommon nowadays. I understand that the divorce can be traumatizing, but it can also be a relief. The perception of divorce or breaking up is different in every single situation and not always has to be as sad as presented. Of course it turns the world upside down, but there are ways to make it work. Neglecting the child after divorce is a different matter, which should not take place at any moment in my opnion. And kids with "double" parents often have twice more fun!
You nailed it! I totally agree with you!
me too!!!!
"And kids with "double" parents often have twice more fun!" You might want to look at the stats for kids of divorces. Their chance of criminality and addiction skyrockets and their chance of being abused after a divorce is MUCH higher (especially by step-parents). Obviously this is not every situation but divorce is a REALLY shitty thing to go through as a kid no matter how much you sugar coat it and no matter how much the kids try and believe it was a good thing for their parents to divorce. Marriage should be first and foremost about creating a stable environment for children to grow up in because that is the backbone of civilization. I understand if the husband/wife is straight up abusive. In that case it is probably better for the kids if they can't rehabilitate themselves but all this divorce for "dissatisfaction" crap just hurts kids in the end.
Just as an example, I had twice the parents. My step-dad spanked the shit out of me (which spanking is no different psychologically to any other form of child abuse) and was an alcoholic for my childhood (he did quit and has become a much better person granted). My step-mom constantly tried to stir up trouble with my mom and her side of the family. She almost got my uncle arrested for kidnapping when my dad and step-mom weren't at home so that he could drop me off after my grandmother's funeral. He lived 3 hours away and drove me back there only to be greeted by the sheriff's office. She had ALOT of control over my dad for many years.
It's definitely on average way more trauma than relief https://www.thespruce.com/children-of-divorce-in-america-statistics-1270390
As Tolstoy said, every family is unhappy their own way. Each family's situation is different, therefore we can't bash divorce as a neccessarily evil thing. Also there are couples who stay friends even after divorce. It's a thing you cannot generalise even if you try really hard.
exactly Daria, as a divorced man, i know that's not a thing you can generalise. not always the families break itself with divorce, many times come broken long time ago, or lot of issues different every case......
I completely agree you can’t generalize divorce. However, the first 3/4 of this is exactly what happened in mine. Husband abandoned us and my son and I both near fell into that pit. But we made our way out together (even though he was only 3) and we have a happy life without my ex now.
You are right. Everyone has their hardships, and saying divorce is always bad is a lie. Some divorces are for the better and like you said, some stay friends after divorce.
My parents divorced before I turned 1 and remarried by the time I was 3. It was the best thing that they could have done. It was a toxic relationship, and they have been married now for 34 and 35 years. I wouldn't trade my "step" parents for anything. There was plenty of tough moments growing up, but as we got older it was great. My siblings that aren't related, treat each other like brothers and sisters. I think as long as the parents do everything they can to make easier for the kids involved, it will be ok. Parents need to talk to their kids about whats going on and make sure that the kids are doing ok.
"I think as long as the parents do everything they can to make easier for the kids involved, it will be ok"....... Great thougt, Joe, i agree...
Thx, Joe. An uplifting story. (My story was less cheerful.) Glad yours went well!
I was lucky enough to have 4 adults that wanted what was best for us. I have 7 brothers and a sister. They sacrificed so we didn't have to go without. There was plenty of trying times, I won't lie. It was tough leaving one set of parents and going to the others. But they made it work. My parents definitely had moments where they couldn't stand each other, but they never put us in the middle or made it bad for us to get back at the other parent. I wish the best for all kids and parents that are dealing with divorce
lucky you, your parents are very balanced and intelligent people...good luck with your life
Patchwork families are nothing uncommon nowadays. I understand that the divorce can be traumatizing, but it can also be a relief. The perception of divorce or breaking up is different in every single situation and not always has to be as sad as presented. Of course it turns the world upside down, but there are ways to make it work. Neglecting the child after divorce is a different matter, which should not take place at any moment in my opnion. And kids with "double" parents often have twice more fun!
You nailed it! I totally agree with you!
me too!!!!
"And kids with "double" parents often have twice more fun!" You might want to look at the stats for kids of divorces. Their chance of criminality and addiction skyrockets and their chance of being abused after a divorce is MUCH higher (especially by step-parents). Obviously this is not every situation but divorce is a REALLY shitty thing to go through as a kid no matter how much you sugar coat it and no matter how much the kids try and believe it was a good thing for their parents to divorce. Marriage should be first and foremost about creating a stable environment for children to grow up in because that is the backbone of civilization. I understand if the husband/wife is straight up abusive. In that case it is probably better for the kids if they can't rehabilitate themselves but all this divorce for "dissatisfaction" crap just hurts kids in the end.
Just as an example, I had twice the parents. My step-dad spanked the shit out of me (which spanking is no different psychologically to any other form of child abuse) and was an alcoholic for my childhood (he did quit and has become a much better person granted). My step-mom constantly tried to stir up trouble with my mom and her side of the family. She almost got my uncle arrested for kidnapping when my dad and step-mom weren't at home so that he could drop me off after my grandmother's funeral. He lived 3 hours away and drove me back there only to be greeted by the sheriff's office. She had ALOT of control over my dad for many years.
It's definitely on average way more trauma than relief https://www.thespruce.com/children-of-divorce-in-america-statistics-1270390