A broken home refers to a family that has gone through separation, abandonment, or divorce leaving the children with only one parent instead of the much-needed two. At the beginning of a divorce, parents tend to argue non-stop and there is a sense of desperation in the family. Children living in that kind of atmosphere may become confused and blame themselves for such arguments and general unhappiness. When dealing with divorce, the effects on children vary depending on age, time of separation, personality and family relationship (Anderson "The Effect of a Broken Family on Development"). For example, infants and young children may experience some negative developmental effects, older children and adolescents tend to suffer more and have a more lasting effect on their daily social, emotional and educational lives (Anderson "The Effect of to Broken Family on Development"). By nature, divorce not only changes the structure of a family but also its dynamics exposed in the previous source. Even in some cases, when the divorce goes smoothly without subjecting the children to too much drama, simply taking a once happy family as it is and creating two separate families will permanently alter family interactions and the roles of both parents and children. In most broken families, older children are forced to grow up faster and take on more responsibilities at home. After divorce, children from preschool through late adolescence tend to experience most of their problems in emotional development (Anderson "The Effect of a Broken Family on Development"). Having a parent leave home can make younger children confused about why they left and won't return. These little children are more African……half of paper……heather?”). Without a father or at least a father figure, children grow up in the wrong way and when people come to help the fact of being fatherless has already left its effect. This is why dads need to be responsible from the beginning because a child needs both parents to develop successfully. By starting from the beginning, getting married first, and staying together permanently, we can stop the disastrous effects of the broken home. Two people should not come together in the hope of starting a family unless they are already fully committed to each other and to the children they wish to have. By interrupting this trend we would create a better future for America with every child raised with both parents. Not only do we need dads to stay in their children's lives, but they also need to be a positive influence and, together with moms, help shape children into who they need to be.