The Relationship of Divorced Mothers and their Daughters: A Daughter's Perspective

Abstract

My personal experiences have inspired me to research the positive aspects of the Mother-Daughter Relationship affected by divorce. In the literature, divorce is assumed to have a negative effect on the MDR. I hoped to conduct research that shows, even though there may be negative aspects, there are definite positives as well. Six, 18-25 year old daughters of divorce were interviewed. Results: Daughters did not feel problems during their adolescence were directly related to divorce, but instead attributed adolescent mother-daughter conflict to regular ‘growing pains’. All the daughters noted that their MDRs are more of a ‘best friend’ relationship versus mother-daughter relationship. Subjects feel daughters who have experienced divorce are more mature and have closer relationships with their mothers than daughters of two parent households. Daughters did not feel that divorce affected their desire to have children.