St. Louis, MO- A new study by the University of Missouri found that parents utilize various technologies to ruin their ex-spouses relationship with their children.
The researchers for the study found that divorced parents are using e-mails, texts and social media platforms to communicate with their exes, which can be beneficial, as lead researcher Lawrence Ganong noted, “Technology makes it easier for divorced couples to get along, and it also makes it easier for them to not get along.”
Ganong who is a professor of human development and family studies at MU says though this practice can be beneficial if used in a positive way and “places less stress on the children,” many parents abuse these technologies.
“Parents who use communication technology to manipulate or withhold information from the other parent can cause pain to the child,” Ganong said.
The researchers surveyed 49 divorced couples separately about the quality of their relationships with their former spouse, and found those with a hostile post-divorce relationship used technology to manipulate their exes, limiting communication with their child or children. Some parents in the study pretended that they didn’t receive emails or texts to deliberately keep their ex-spouse and children apart.
Ganong suggests that exes, who have especially hostile relationships, should use email to communicate explaining, “They can communicate essential information while editing what they say to avoid conflict.
One of the biggest challenges parents and divorce lawyers face in dissolution is how they will share custody of their children. Some parents are able to settle this issue with little contention, but for others their child custody can lead to conflicts that often require mediation.
