Which of the following is a common school-age reaction during a parent's divorce?

• A. Difficulties in school.
• B. Improved appetite.
• C. Increased energy.
• D. No emotional change.

Answer: (A)

During divorce, school-age children often feel stressed and unsettled, and that emotional turmoil frequently shows up in academics. The routine changes, living arrangements, and emotional strain can make it hard to concentrate, follow directions, and keep up with schoolwork, leading to declines in grades or more classroom behavior problems. This pattern—experiencing difficulties in school as a common reaction to parental divorce—reflects how emotional stress disrupts the child's ability to perform academically.

The other options don’t fit as well. An improved appetite isn’t typically expected in this context; stress can disrupt eating patterns but not commonly improve them. Increased energy isn’t a typical, stable reaction to this situation and may signal other concerns. No emotional change is unlikely, because divorce is a major life event that usually elicits some emotional response in children.