Why More Fathers Are Getting Custody

According to the US Census Bureau, current divorce rates have risen to 60 percent – nearly 2 out of 3 marriages now end in divorce! And, close to 90% of these marriages involve at least one child, often leading to a custody battle. Despite the fact that the parents no longer wish to be in the marriage, both parents likely love their children very much and have rights to have access to their children.

Historically, the children of divorced parents typically live with their mother while Dad is relegated to weekends and every other holiday. This has left many fathers feeling steamrolled, especially if the “ex” tends to get vindictive and uses denying access to the children as a form of punishment.

More and more often, however, we are seeing single parent households led by fathers. In fact, over last decade, the number of fathers awarded full custody of their children has doubled, from 7.5% to 15%, according to the US Census Bureau.

Why? The simplest answer is that more dads are fighting for custody as fewer couples choose to stay together “for the sake for the kids”.

Actually, in many cases where fathers are getting custody, there really isn’t even much of a battle. You’ll often find that there is a mutual agreement as part of the divorce settlement, or that the mother simply agrees to turn custody over. In judge-ordered paternal custody, it may be that the father clearly offers the more stable home environment, that the mother is unable to care for the children, or that the mother has been judged unfit. In addition, child advocacy groups are also empowering the children of divorcing parents to have a say in which parent they live with, and many children do choose their fathers.

Fathers certainly have enough intrinsic motivation to have custody of their children, but there are some serious physical and psychological implications as well. Recent studies have shown that children of mother-only households have a higher rate of asthma, headaches, anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. Teenagers of fatherless homes are at greater risk of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use, and suicide. Adolescent girls raised without a father-figure are 3 times more likely to engage in sexual relations by the time they turn 15, and 5 times more likely to become a teen mother.

Are you a Dad seeking custody of your children? Contact a qualified Family or Divorce attorney today to improve your chances.