The term separation usually refers to the end of life as a couple.
Separation is understood as the act and consequence of separating or being separated (that is, setting or increasing a distance, isolating). The term has its origin in the Latin separatio and is usually used to refer to the cessation of life as a couple established by a decision made by the parties or decreed by a court ruling, without this representing the dissolution of the marriage bond .
Separation, in this sense, is an intermediate situation between a marital union and a divorce decree. At a legal level, this category or classification is used when current law does not authorize divorce. In these cases, separation means that the couple's bond remains in force, although several of the obligations and rights that extend to the members of the couple are terminated.
Types of separation
The separation of the spouses until then can be a de facto separation (agreed upon by those involved, without the bond having been dissolved through legal means) or a judicial separation (which has various legal effects on the members of the couple).
In everyday life, separation marks the end of coexistence. The people involved must agree on the distribution of assets, legal custody of descendants and other issues...
The divorce
It is important to insist that, despite the separation, for the marriage to be dissolved, the divorce must be processed. Therefore, someone who has separated but not divorced cannot contract a nuptial bond without incurring bigamy .
Couples generally first decide to separate and then begin divorce proceedings. This allows the couple, after the separation and before the divorce, the possibility of recomposing themselves and the spouses returning to their normal married life.
The separation of parents usually has a negative impact on their children.
Children facing separation from parents
The beings who suffer the most in the separation of a couple are the children; They must get used to living with only one of their parents and adapt to a new lifestyle.
In recent years the number of separations has been increasing; People come together more because of specific circumstances than because of a common plan, and in a short time that relationship that seemed perfect ends. And finally, children are the ones who end up paying for the parents' bad decisions and the consequent changes that the breakup causes in the family structure.
At the same time that the relationships within the couple's bond change (the parents continue to see each other but behave in an absolutely different way), they also change between parents and children. Depending on their age, the consequences of separation will be more serious or minor. Of course, the way in which this breakup is carried out also has a lot of influence; That is to say, it is done in an organized way, as calmly as possible and without fights or violence, possibly it will be easier for the children to assimilate this change.
Most frequent reactions
There are many ways in which children express their feelings regarding this new circumstance in their lives. Some become absolutely rebellious , causing parents to lose control over them; Others withdraw into themselves and avoid talking about it as much as possible, convincing everyone that they have overcome it. In any case, there are some generalized behaviors according to the age of each child.
*Between 2 and 6 years : Regressive behaviors (such as bed-wetting), problems with eating and demonstration of apathy towards one of the parents;
*Between 7 and 12 years : Manipulation behaviors, recrimination and feelings of guilt that lead them to commit risky actions;
*In adolescence: Assume risky behavior, rejection of their parents and impulsive responses to everything that happens to them.