Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
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.
RELATED:
Some people related to the comic strongly
While others had a much different experience
What does divorce mean to you? Tell us below!
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Daria B 8 years ago
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.
Yezid Puerto 8 years ago
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......
Load More Replies...
Joe Sauer 8 years ago
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.
Yezid Puerto 8 years ago
"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...
Load More Replies...
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
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!
Random Panda 8 years ago
Sometimes divorce is not the worst outcome for a child. The only memories I have about my parents being together is constantly fighting and yelling at each other. I was so glad when they finally broke up.
Vera Deme 8 years ago
Exactly! I divorced before my son's 2nd year - we fought constantly and my ex used bad words, I was unhappy and depressed. My son grew up without father but in a calm and loving environment and is now the best child ever! He does not remember his father and I happy for that. There was physical violence too while we were married. No matter what divorce is much better!
Load More Replies...
Nia Hilton Wohl 8 years ago
It is not fair to say that this is what "divorce" does. People divorce for so many reasons and with such different results that you can't really generalize. This scenario definitely does happen but it's not applicable to all divorces.
Margie Lazou 8 years ago
This isn't about divorce at all. This is about indifferent and selfish parents, who would put their own desires above the needs of their own children. Such people are plain DESPICABLE and should be summarily castrated. Thankfully not every mother and father is a shitbag useless prick like these ones.
Aunt Messy 8 years ago
Right. Because growing up in a house where the parents hate each other..or screw around..or drink constantly...or scream and yell...or hit each other...is such a healthy environment. NOTHING screwed my my young self and my sibs than the fact that my parents stayed together "for the kids".
Load More Replies...
Jonathan Eatsalot 8 years ago
My wife walked out and gave up custody of our 3 girls. That was 12 years ago. She is $50,000 behind in court ordered child support. I would be in jail if I was $50k behind in child support.
Caroline Murphy 8 years ago
That's terrible. When my parents divorced the courts gave my dad the rights to be my primary carer. I lived with him for 5 days and my mum on weekends, Basically unheard of. My brother's ex has stopped him from seeing my nephew for no reason, and the courts refuse to do anything. I feel sorry for dads, you don't get enough credit
Load More Replies...
Brownie emoji 8 years ago
Okay no. As a child of divorce this is an awful comic. It portrays divorce as a bad thing and it isn't.
Michał Jastrzębski 8 years ago
also, it stereotypises men as being at fault. Shame.
Load More Replies...
Silvia Borgers 8 years ago
I wished my parents did a divorce.. it was an awfull family in wich i grew up
Caroline Shepherd 8 years ago
My mom left my alcoholic father after wasting 14 years and a lot of money (when she came back after 6 months from Kosovo she only had 5€s on her bank account). She said the only good thing about it was me. For us it was relief, I had asthma while they were together and after we moved I almost instantly got better. We still had and have some problems but we are definitely better.
Daria B 8 years ago
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.
Yezid Puerto 8 years ago
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......
Load More Replies... Joe Sauer 8 years ago
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.
Yezid Puerto 8 years ago
"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...
Load More Replies... Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
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!
Random Panda 8 years ago
Sometimes divorce is not the worst outcome for a child. The only memories I have about my parents being together is constantly fighting and yelling at each other. I was so glad when they finally broke up.
Vera Deme 8 years ago
Exactly! I divorced before my son's 2nd year - we fought constantly and my ex used bad words, I was unhappy and depressed. My son grew up without father but in a calm and loving environment and is now the best child ever! He does not remember his father and I happy for that. There was physical violence too while we were married. No matter what divorce is much better!
Load More Replies... Nia Hilton Wohl 8 years ago
It is not fair to say that this is what "divorce" does. People divorce for so many reasons and with such different results that you can't really generalize. This scenario definitely does happen but it's not applicable to all divorces.
Margie Lazou 8 years ago
This isn't about divorce at all. This is about indifferent and selfish parents, who would put their own desires above the needs of their own children. Such people are plain DESPICABLE and should be summarily castrated. Thankfully not every mother and father is a shitbag useless prick like these ones.
Aunt Messy 8 years ago
Right. Because growing up in a house where the parents hate each other..or screw around..or drink constantly...or scream and yell...or hit each other...is such a healthy environment. NOTHING screwed my my young self and my sibs than the fact that my parents stayed together "for the kids".
Load More Replies... Jonathan Eatsalot 8 years ago
My wife walked out and gave up custody of our 3 girls. That was 12 years ago. She is $50,000 behind in court ordered child support. I would be in jail if I was $50k behind in child support.
Caroline Murphy 8 years ago
That's terrible. When my parents divorced the courts gave my dad the rights to be my primary carer. I lived with him for 5 days and my mum on weekends, Basically unheard of. My brother's ex has stopped him from seeing my nephew for no reason, and the courts refuse to do anything. I feel sorry for dads, you don't get enough credit
Load More Replies... Brownie emoji 8 years ago
Okay no. As a child of divorce this is an awful comic. It portrays divorce as a bad thing and it isn't.
Michał Jastrzębski 8 years ago
also, it stereotypises men as being at fault. Shame.
Load More Replies... Silvia Borgers 8 years ago
I wished my parents did a divorce.. it was an awfull family in wich i grew up
Caroline Shepherd 8 years ago
My mom left my alcoholic father after wasting 14 years and a lot of money (when she came back after 6 months from Kosovo she only had 5€s on her bank account). She said the only good thing about it was me. For us it was relief, I had asthma while they were together and after we moved I almost instantly got better. We still had and have some problems but we are definitely better.
Related on Bored Panda
235
174