Solution to the causes of conflict in Christian homes

There is evidence that family conflict in Christian families has lasting detrimental impacts on children and communities. According to studies, differences in values and beliefs, as well as the fight for authority, are common causes of tension in Christian households. Short-term and long-term repercussions of family conflict include lower academic attainment, behavioral issues, and emotional discomfort.

 

Furthermore, these confrontations can have an effect on society as a whole, not just the children directly engaged. The purpose of this literature study is to learn more about the impact that family conflict has on Christian children and on society as a whole, and to find ways to lessen such impacts. Children who grow up in homes where arguments frequently occur are more likely to have trouble in the classroom. According to research conducted by Grych, Fincham, Jouriles, and McDonald (2000), school difficulties are more likely to affect children who are exposed to high levels of family conflict.

A further research by Loken (2009) corroborated this anecdotal evidence by demonstrating that family strife has a detrimental impact on children’s academic success. Loken discovered that compared to children from non-conflict households, those who grew up in war zones performed worse academically and missed more school. Children from Christian households that are in conflict sometimes display abnormal behavior. Children who see domestic violence at home are more likely to act out aggressively, engage in criminal conduct, and have other behavioral issues (Edleson, 1999).

Further, Cummings and Davies (1994) showed that kids who grow up with a lot of family strife are more likely to struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as social issues like feeling alone and rejected by their peers. They may develop poor self-esteem, low self-worth, and a feeling of unworthiness as a result of the incident, all of which might hinder their social development.

Brock and Lawrence (2009) found that when children see domestic violence between their parents, they may internalize that pattern of behavior and apply it to other situations. A child’s future relationships might be negatively impacted if they grow up in a Christian family where fighting is common. Adalbjarnardottir and Docherty (2010) found that kids whose families fought a lot had trouble interacting with others and were less likely to develop positive social skills. As a result, the youngsters may come to view physical or verbal violence as appropriate means of settling disputes. This viewpoint may affect how they react to disagreement, which in turn may cause greater tension between them and their peers. Thus, family strife among Christians is harmful not just to the kid but to society as a whole. The dissolution of Christian marriages and families due to conflict has wider societal ramifications. Approximately half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce, according to data (Amato & Keith, 1991).

Divorce has far-reaching consequences for society as a whole, since children from divorced households are more likely to suffer from mental and physical health problems and drop out of school (Crouch & McNair, 2009; Elliott & Voss, 1974; Kelly & Emery, 2003). Conflict in Christian households has a detrimental impact on children and society, suggesting that measures are needed to prevent or lessen the severity of this impact. It has been suggested that counseling can help families fix their communication and conflict issues (Griffith, 2016).

The goal of family therapy is to assist members of the family learn to communicate and work through their differences peacefully, therefore decreasing the likelihood that arguments may escalate into physical confrontations or lead to divorce. One alternative intervention technique is Christian counseling. This method is rooted on Christian values and seeks to resolve issues via prayer and study of the Bible. Fathers can be taught to provide a good example for their children by treating their wives with love and respect (Ephesians 5:25) and by fostering an atmosphere of peace and harmony (Ephesians 6:4).

In sum, Christian families that fight can have lasting effects on their children and on society as a whole. Conflict has negative consequences, such as poor conduct and emotional anguish in children. The effects of a fractured family on society as a whole may be far-reaching, and this includes the effects on the individual’s social life and future interactions with peers. Family therapy and Christian counseling that emphasize open dialogue, mutual regard, and emotional acuity may help prevent or lessen these results. It is possible to encourage and equip Christian dads to do their part in creating stable, harmonious households. In addition, the results show that additional study is needed to find effective intervention techniques that may be adapted to various cultural and religious settings.

 

References

Adalbjarnardottir, S., & Docherty, N. M. (2010). Early predictors of adult social skills: The role of childhood aggression. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(10), 1874-1891.

Amato, P. R., & Keith, B. (1991). Consequences of Parental Divorce for Children. Annual Review of Sociology, 27(1), 407-432.

Brock, S. E., & Lawrence, E. (2009). Marital aggression, observed parental aggression, and child behavior problems: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Family Violence, 24(4), 237-245.

Crouch, J. L., & McNair, L. D. (2009). Predicting patterns of school dropout using risk and resiliency factors in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 18(4), 460-469.

Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (1994). Children and marital conflict. The Guilford Press.

Edleson, J. L. (1999). The overlap between child maltreatment and woman battering. Violence Against Women, 5(2), 134-154.

Elliott, G. C., & Voss, H. L. (1974). Delinquent behavior in boys from broken homes: A comparison of findings in several studies. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 83(6), 610-614.

Grych, J. H., Fincham, F. D., Jouriles, E. N., & McDonald, R. (2000). Interparental conflict and child adjustment: Testing the mediational role of appraisals in the cognitive-contextual framework. Child Development, 71(6), 1648-1661.

Griffith, J. (2016). Family therapy: An overview. Routledge.

Kelly, J. B., & Emery, R. E. (2003). Children’s Adjustment Following Divorce: Risk and Resilience Perspectives. Family Relations, 52(4), 352-362.

Loken, E. (2009). Parental conflict and educational outcomes of young adults. Journal of Family Issues, 30(9), 1164-1185.