At what age do children typically start displaying fear regarding the future due to divorce?

• A. Infancy
• B. Toddler
• C. School age
• D. Adulthood

Answer: (C)

Understanding how children think about the future develops notably during the school-age years. At this stage, children around 6 to 12 years old begin to think more concretely about time, permanency, and how big events might affect their daily lives. When divorce occurs, they start to worry about the future—the stability of their living situation, finances, which parent will be present for holidays and milestones, and whether their parents will still love them. They may also fear that the changes will be long-lasting or that they are to blame for the separation. In contrast, infants and toddlers focus on immediate needs and attachment, not on future family structures, and adults have moved beyond the pediatric perspective. So the tendency to fear what lies ahead due to divorce typically emerges in the school-age period. Providing developmentally appropriate, honest information, consistent routines, and reassurance of ongoing parental love can help mitigate these fears, and offering space to express feelings or referring to counseling can be beneficial if anxiety persists.