Single Dads: Although the divorce courts are improving, too many single dads are still treated as "part-time" dads. |
Single Dads Disposable
Dads: Although the divorce courts are improving, too many single dads are still treated as "disposable." What about the children of these disposable dads? In many instances, dad shares their lives on an ever declining basis. Why? Possibly because society, and maybe even the dads themselves, no longer consider these dads full-time fathers. The strong cultural guidelines that shape our society's definition of motherhood defines women as mothers even when they no longer live with their children. This is not necessarily true for society and fathers. Frank Furstenberg and Andrew Chelin, characterizing divorced and single dads in Divided Families, What Happens to Children When Parents Part (Family and Public Policy, I), write, "When these men stop living with their wives and children, they no longer see themselves (or are seen by their former wives) as full-fledged fathers. It is as if their license for parenthood were revoked when their marriage ended." Although the best situation for children of divorce is one in which they maintain close relationships with both parents, study after study has shown a decrease in the amount and frequency of time the single dad spends with his children when they do not have custody or joint custody of the children. |
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