Standard education has never been tailored to the individual. A “one size fits all” method is utilized in education, which can limit the potential of students. This method is not just used in K-12 or college classes, though – online educational and support classes are often required for divorcing parents, which also follow the “one size fits all” model. However, research finds that standard content is often ineffective, as each parent has his or her own specific emotional needs.
Why online education doesn’t always work
The concept of online education is to teach parents how to deal with children’s needs and responses to their family’s new situation. This idea is sufficient, but unique tracks are often necessary. Tailored material is required if special circumstances – such as intimate partner violence or alcoholism – are included in the children’s environment.
“There is no cookie-cutter divorcing couple, and with online programming, educators are able to supply content that applies to diverse family situations,” said lead author Jill Bowers, Ph.D., a University of Illinois researcher in human and community development who began evaluating online divorce education courses in 2011.
“Program developers could create a two-hour core component that would apply to many divorcing or separating couples with children; then divorcing parents could have the option of choosing other topics based on their interests, or results of a pre-test could direct parents to further hours of programming based on their unique needs,” she added.
Getting education from credible sources
Bowers’ new study reviews data from 1,543 participants in an online course whose creator solicited the researcher’s feedback.
The researcher said that at least 46 states require from two to six hours of co-parenting classes before a divorce is granted to couples who have children under 18 years old.
“Divorcing parents must pay for these classes, which used to involve classroom instruction. In the past decade, however, course selection has expanded to include many online offerings, and that’s created a market for online program developers and educators,” she said.
When evaluating a course, Bowers assesses whether course content is research-based. “An online search for parenting after divorce generates millions of results, but that doesn’t mean the answers you’ll find are from credible or reliable sources. I believe it’s important for online educators to cite their courses and explicitly talk about their conceptual foundations so audiences can distinguish credible sources from self-proclaimed experts.”
Bowers believes judges and parents should look for programs that are scientifically grounded in divorce, child development, relationships, and communication literature. Although experts recommend an eighth-grade reading level for such programs, materials Bowers has reviewed sometimes test out at grade 13.
She suggests that educators could highlight words and direct parents who are less experienced readers or who have a limited vocabulary to a resources page that includes definitions of difficult terms.
Adult-focused educational content
Most online programs focus on communication with the child and the co-parent, and they generally do well at helping parents to think about children’s reactions to divorce at different ages, the impact of one parent “bad-mouthing” another, and strategies for helping kids deal with their new reality.
“But adult-focused content could be enhanced. For example, research shows that parents who have not had time to grieve the loss of the relationship may experience emotional issues, and because of their grief or anger, they may be unable to help their children cope.”
“Programs could be improved by adding content that helps parents address their emotional needs so they would be better equipped to help their children through the transition period. We’d also like to see strategies that parents can use when conflict is escalating,” she said.
Because parents take these classes between filing for and obtaining a divorce, online educators don’t often cover such issues as introducing a new partner to children, sex and cohabitation, remarriage, and blended families, even though some couples are dealing with these topics at that time.“Discussion of these subjects could be useful,” she said.
According to Bowers, the court system that divorcing parents encounter, as well as the legal process, are often unfamiliar and overwhelming.
She noted that online programs do well with covering financial obligations, child support, and parenting plans, but other legal terms and processes, including the value of mediation, should also be considered in programming for parents.
“The companies that have developed these programs appear to be very committed to helping families. The ones we have worked with have been especially responsive to our evaluations.
“We know that divorce is a really tough time for families, and we hope that these suggestions for adapting course content and design of mandated co-parenting classes can not only make a difficult and often traumatic experience easier but it can also optimize outcomes for parents and children going through this process,” she said.
Divorce Counseling for Divorcing Parents in Newport Beach, CA
If you are in the middle of a divorce and will be co-parenting, divorce counseling can help. Counseling can go a long way in helping divorcing parents work through and improve communication throughout this difficult period. Even if a divorce is not contentious, divorce counseling can help it continue to move forward smoothly.
If you would like to learn more about how divorce counseling may be able to help you, reach out to Jennifer De Francisco. Jennifer De Francisco, MPA, MSW, LCSW, offers couples counseling in Orange County, CA for couples at any stage in their relationship. Her approach provides a safe environment to open and honestly share thoughts and emotions. Through developing a positive, therapeutic relationship, you and your partner can interpret what is going on, both in your life and in the session, creating a better awareness within your relationship. Contact Jennifer De Francisco by calling (949) 251-8797 or make an appointment online.
Source:University of Illinois