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Sociologists and anthropologists worldwide tend to report negative findings when studying how divorce affects children with recent research from the University of Wisconsin having indicated that children of divorce struggle socially and academically. Fresh studies conducted by the Pew Research Centre – which analysed the responses of 2,961 adults surveyed in October 2010 – have suggested that the long-term effect divorce can have on children are more varied than this, however, and have also implied that matrimonial separation can have a positive influence on the children involved. For example, findings showed that 60 per cent of children that entered into stepfamilies as a result of one of their biological parents having remarried claimed that they enjoyed a closer and more settled marriage than their biological parents. In comparison, only 45 per cent of individuals without a step-parent said that their marriage was closer than their parents’, suggesting that children from stepfamilies learn from being part of a harmonious family unit and witnessing a parent in a happy marriage. The majority of adults with step-relatives still felt a stronger sense of obligation towards blood relatives, however, with 85 per cent of those surveyed saying that they would feel compelled to assist a biological parent that required financial assistance or caregiving whilst only 56 per cent said that they would feel the same way about a step-parent. Additionally, 78 per cent of parents said that they would feel compelled to assist their fully grown biological child with only 62 per cent stating that they were duty-bound to assist their adult step-child. Unfortunately, fewer individuals within the UK are remarrying according to information from the Office for National Statistics. Fortunately, sociologists have argued that this is due to extenuating factors such as the rising cost of wedding ceremonies and growing social acceptability of cohabitation so children of divorce can still be introduced into an extended family and witness a harmonious adult relationship even if their parents don’t remarry. Finally, some good news!